Chapter 17 - The Special Senses Flashcards
(220 cards)
What is olfaction?
Sense of smell
What is the olfactory epithelium?
The superior part of the nasal cavity, covering the interior surface of the cribriform plate & extending along the superior nasal concha
What three kinds of cells are in the olfactory epithelium?
- Olfactory receptors
- Supporting cells
- Basal cells
What are olfactory receptors?
First-order neurons of the olfactory pathway
- bipolar neuron
- axons extend through the cribriform plate & terminated in the olfactory bulb
What are the parts of the olfactory receptors that respond to inhaled chemicals?
Olfactory hairs
- cilia that project from the dendrite
What are odorants?
Chemicals that have an odor & can therefore stimulate the olfactory hairs
How is an olfactory response initiated?
Olfactory receptors response to the chemical stimulation of an odorant molecule by producing a generator potential
What are supporting cells?
Olfactory
Columnar epithelial cells of the mucous membrane lining the nose
What are the functions of the supporting cells?
Olfactory
- provide physical support
- provide nourishment
- provide electrical insulation
- help detoxify chemicals
What are basal cells? (olfaction)
Where are they located?
Stem cells
- located between the bases of the supporting cells
What is remarkable about basal cells?
Continually undergo cell division to produce new olfactory receptors
- replaced every month or so
- most mature neurons are generally NOT replaced
What do olfactory (Bowman’s) glands produce?
Mucus that is carried to the surface of the epithelium by ducts
- moistens the surface of the olfactory epithelium & dissolves odorants so that transduction can occur
How do olfactory receptors respond to odorant molecules?
A generator potential (depolarization) develops & triggers one or more nerve impulses
- in some cases, an odorant binds to an olfactory receptor protein in the plasma membrane of an olfactory hair
What is the threshold for olfaction?
LOW
- only a few molecules of certain substances need be present in the air to be perceived as an odor
Describe olfactory adaptation.
Adaption (decreasing sensitivity) to odors occurs rapidly
Describe the olfactory (I) nerves.
40 or so bundles of axons collectively form the left & right olfactory (I) nerves
What are olfactory bulbs?
Where the olfactory nerves terminate in the brain in paired masses of gray matter
Where are the olfactory bulbs located?
Below the frontal lobes of the cerebrum & lateral to the crista galli of the ethmoid bone
What is the olfactory tract?
Axons of olfactory bulb neurons extend posteriorly to form the olfactory tract
What is gustation?
Sense of taste
What are the 5 primary tastes?
- Sour
- Sweet
- Bitter
- Salty
- Umami (meaty or savory)
Where are the receptors for taste located?
In the taste buds
What does a taste bud consist of?
Oval body consisting of three kinds of epithelial cells:
- supporting cells
- gustatory receptor cells
- basal cells
Where are the taste buds located?
- on the tongue
- soft palate (roof of mouth)
- pharynx (throat)
- epiglottis (cartilage lid over voice box)