Chapter 17 - Special Senses Flashcards
(137 cards)
Olfaction
The sense of smell
Olfactory Epithelium
Epithelial cells found in the roof of the nasal cavity
3 Cell Types Found in Olfactory Epithelium
- Supporting (Sustentacular) Cells
- Basal (Stem) Cells
- Olfactory Receptors
Supporting (Sustantecular) Cells
Provide support, insulation, nourishment, and detoxification to the olfactory epithelium
Basal (Stem) Cells
Layer that constantly divides to form new olfactory/gustatory receptors
Olfactory Receptors
- Pseudostratified bipolar sensory neurons sensitive to odorants
- Have 1 olfactory hair + 1 unmyelinated axon
- Bowman’s Glands = secrete mucous
Olfactory Transduction (6 Steps)
- Odorant binds to receptors on olfactory hairs
- G-protein linked activation of adenyl cyclase
- cAMP activation
- Na+ influx
- Generator potential
- Action potential
Olfactory Pathway
Olfactory receptors -> RIght & left olfactory nerves (penetrates cribiform plate) -> Olfactory bulbs (synapses w/ 2nd order relay neurons) -> Olfactory tracts -> Primary olfactory area
- Projections to limbic system & hypothalamus = visceral/emotional responses to smell & memory evoked responses
- Projection to thalamus = odor identification & discrimination area of frontal lobe
Primary Odors
- Hundreds in total
- Nose can recognize approx. 10,000 different odor combinations
- 10 to 100 million olfactory receptors present in epithelium
Odor Thresholds & Adaptation
- Smell threshold may be very low
- Adaptation to odors occurs quickly
- With age, decreased olfactory receptor no. = hyposmia/ anosmia
Gustation
The sense of taste
5 Primary Taste Sensations
- Bitter
- Sour
- Salty
- Sweet
- Savory (Umami)
* Complex flavors = combinations of primary tastes + smell + tactile sensations
* Lowest sensitivity threshold = bitter
* Highest sensitivity threshold = savory
Adaptation
Decreased sensitivity due to constant stimulation
Tastants
Chemical substances that cause gustatory (taste bud) stimulation, as well as olfactory stimulation
Odorants
Chemical substances that cause olfactory stimulation, also affects gustation
3 Types of Epithelial Cells in Taste Buds
- Basal (Stem) Cells
- Supporting Cells
- Gustatory Receptors
Supporting Cells (Gustatory)
Provide nutritional support to other cells in taste buds
Gustatory Receptors
Have 1 gustatory hair (microvillus) which project from the taste pore which synapses w/ the 1st order sensory neuron
Taste Transduction (Ionic Tastes)
Dissolved tastants bind gustatory hairs -> Salty (Na+) and Sour (H+) enter cell via ion channels of different gustatory receptors -> Ca+2 influx -> Exocytotic release of neurotransmitter -> EPSPs in 1st order sensory neuron -> Firing of action potentials
Taste Transduction (Organic Tastes)
Dissolved tastants bind gustatory hairs -> Sweet, bitter, umami bind surface protein receptors of different gustatory receptors -> 2nd messenger release -> Closing of K+ channels, depolarizing cell -> Ca+2 influx + release of stored ER Ca+2 -> Increased cytosolic Ca+2 -> Exocytotic release of neurotransmitter -> EPSPS -> Action potential
4 Different Locations of Taste Buds
- Tongue
- Soft Palate
- Pharynx
- Epiglottis
* More taste buds associated w/ lingual papillae, located on dorsal/lateral tongue surface
4 Papillae Types
- Vallate Papillae
- Fungiform Papillae
- Foliate Papillae
- Filiform Papillae
Vallate Papillae
V-shaped row near back of tongue
Fungiform Papillae
Scattered over dorsal tongue surface