Page last updated: 2024-10-24

detection of chemical stimulus involved in sensory perception of smell

Definition

Target type: biologicalprocess

The series of events involved in the perception of smell in which an olfactory chemical stimulus is received and converted into a molecular signal. [GOC:ai]

The olfactory system, responsible for our sense of smell, is a remarkable sensory apparatus that detects and interprets chemical cues in the environment. This complex process, encompassing both chemical and neural events, allows us to perceive odors and their associated sensations. The journey of olfactory perception begins with the detection of odorant molecules by specialized sensory neurons located in the olfactory epithelium, a specialized tissue lining the roof of the nasal cavity. These neurons, known as olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs), possess unique protein receptors embedded in their cell membranes. These receptors are highly diverse, each recognizing and binding to specific odorant molecules. The binding of an odorant molecule to its receptor triggers a cascade of intracellular events that ultimately lead to the generation of an electrical signal. This signal, known as an action potential, is then transmitted along the axon of the ORN to the olfactory bulb, a structure located in the brain. Within the olfactory bulb, axons from ORNs synapse with dendrites of mitral cells, a type of neuron that relays olfactory information to higher brain regions. Mitral cells form distinct glomeruli, spherical clusters that receive input from ORNs expressing the same type of receptor. This convergence of signals from ORNs expressing the same receptor allows the olfactory bulb to process information about specific odorant molecules. From the olfactory bulb, olfactory information is relayed to various regions of the brain, including the piriform cortex, amygdala, and hippocampus. These brain regions play a critical role in odor identification, emotional responses to odors, and memory formation associated with specific smells. The olfactory system is constantly adapting to the changing environment, exhibiting a phenomenon known as olfactory adaptation. This process allows us to become less sensitive to persistent odors, enabling us to focus on new and potentially important scents. In summary, the detection of chemical stimuli involved in sensory perception of smell is a multi-faceted process involving the binding of odorant molecules to specific receptors on olfactory receptor neurons, the generation of electrical signals, and the transmission of these signals to higher brain regions for interpretation and processing.'
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Proteins (2)

ProteinDefinitionTaxonomy
Olfactory receptor 51E2An olfactory receptor 51E2 that is encoded in the genome of human. [PRO:DNx, UniProtKB:Q9H255]Homo sapiens (human)
Sodium/potassium/calcium exchanger 4A sodium/potassium/calcium exchanger 4 that is encoded in the genome of human. [PRO:DNx, UniProtKB:Q8NFF2]Homo sapiens (human)

Compounds (19)

CompoundDefinitionClassesRoles
alpha-ketoglutaric acid2-oxoglutaric acid : An oxo dicarboxylic acid that consists of glutaric acid bearing an oxo substituent at position 2. It is an intermediate metabolite in Krebs cycle.oxo dicarboxylic acidfundamental metabolite
glycinealpha-amino acid;
amino acid zwitterion;
proteinogenic amino acid;
serine family amino acid
EC 2.1.2.1 (glycine hydroxymethyltransferase) inhibitor;
fundamental metabolite;
hepatoprotective agent;
micronutrient;
neurotransmitter;
NMDA receptor agonist;
nutraceutical
hydroxypyruvic acid3-hydroxypyruvic acid : A 2-oxo monocarboxylic acid that is pyruvic acid in which one of the methyl hydrogens is substituted by a hydroxy group. It is an intermediate involved in the glycine and serine metabolism.

hydroxypyruvic acid: RN given refers to parent cpd
2-oxo monocarboxylic acid;
3-hydroxy monocarboxylic acid;
primary alpha-hydroxy ketone
Escherichia coli metabolite;
human metabolite
palmitic acidhexadecanoic acid : A straight-chain, sixteen-carbon, saturated long-chain fatty acid.

Palmitic Acid: A common saturated fatty acid found in fats and waxes including olive oil, palm oil, and body lipids.
long-chain fatty acid;
straight-chain saturated fatty acid
algal metabolite;
Daphnia magna metabolite;
EC 1.1.1.189 (prostaglandin-E2 9-reductase) inhibitor;
plant metabolite
ureaisourea : A carboximidic acid that is the imidic acid tautomer of urea, H2NC(=NH)OH, and its hydrocarbyl derivatives.

pseudourea: clinical use; structure
isourea;
monocarboxylic acid amide;
one-carbon compound
Daphnia magna metabolite;
Escherichia coli metabolite;
fertilizer;
flour treatment agent;
human metabolite;
mouse metabolite;
Saccharomyces cerevisiae metabolite
potassium chloridepotassium chloride : A metal chloride salt with a K(+) counterion.

Potassium Chloride: A white crystal or crystalline powder used in BUFFERS; FERTILIZERS; and EXPLOSIVES. It can be used to replenish ELECTROLYTES and restore WATER-ELECTROLYTE BALANCE in treating HYPOKALEMIA.
inorganic chloride;
inorganic potassium salt;
potassium salt
fertilizer
estriolchlorapatite : A phosphate mineral with the formula Ca5(PO4)3Cl.

hormonin: estrogen replacement; each tablet contains 600 ug micronized 17beta-estradiol, 270 ug estriol and 1.4 mg estrone
16alpha-hydroxy steroid;
17beta-hydroxy steroid;
3-hydroxy steroid
estrogen;
human metabolite;
human xenobiotic metabolite;
mouse metabolite
epitestosteroneepitestosterone : An androstanoid that is the C-17 epimer of testosterone.

Epitestosterone: The 17-alpha isomer of TESTOSTERONE, derived from PREGNENOLONE via the delta5-steroid pathway, and via 5-androstene-3-beta,17-alpha-diol. Epitestosterone acts as an antiandrogen in various target tissues. The ratio between testosterone/epitestosterone is used to monitor anabolic drug abuse.
17alpha-hydroxy steroid;
3-oxo-Delta(4) steroid;
androstanoid
androgen antagonist;
human metabolite
glycylglycinedipeptide;
dipeptide zwitterion
human metabolite
2-pyrrolidone2-pyrrolidone: RN given refers to parent cpd

pyrrolidin-2-one : The simplest member of the class of pyrrolidin-2-ones, consisting of pyrrolidine in which the hydrogens at position 2 are replaced by an oxo group. The lactam arising by the formal intramolecular condensation of the amino and carboxy groups of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).
pyrrolidin-2-onesmetabolite;
polar solvent
n-acetylglutamic acidN-acetyl-L-glutamic acid : An N-acyl-L-amino acid that is L-glutamic acid in which one of the amine hydrogens is substituted by an acetyl group.

N-acetylglutamic acid: RN given refers to (L)-isomer
N-acetyl-L-amino acid;
N-acyl-L-glutamic acid
human metabolite;
Saccharomyces cerevisiae metabolite
tetrahydrocurcumintetrahydrocurcumin : A beta-diketone that is curcumin in which both of the double bonds have been reduced to single bonds.beta-diketone;
diarylheptanoid;
polyphenol
metabolite
histidinolL-histidinol : An amino alcohol that is propanol substituted by 1H-imidazol-4-yl group at position 3 and an amino group at position 2 (the 2S stereoisomer).amino alcohol;
imidazoles
EC 2.3.1.97 (glycylpeptide N-tetradecanoyltransferase) inhibitor;
Escherichia coli metabolite;
human metabolite;
Saccharomyces cerevisiae metabolite
n-acetyl-n-formyl-5-methoxykynurenamineN-acetyl-N-formyl-5-methoxykynurenamine: metabolite of melatonin; structure in first sourcearomatic ketone
androstane-3,17-dione, (5alpha)-isomer5alpha-androstane-3,17-dione : The 5alpha-stereoisomer of androstane-3,17-dione.

androstane-3,17-dione : An androstanoid that is androstane substituted by oxo groups at positions 3 and 17.

androstane-3,17-dione: RN given refers to cpd without isomeric designation
3-oxo-5alpha-steroid;
androstane-3,17-dione
mouse metabolite
19-hydroxy-4-androstene-3,17-dione17-oxo steroid;
19-hydroxy steroid;
3-oxo steroid;
androstanoid
mouse metabolite
bradykininoligopeptidehuman blood serum metabolite;
vasodilator agent
isotretinoinisotretinoin : A retinoic acid that is all-trans-retinoic acid in which the double bond which is alpha,beta- to the carboxy group is isomerised to Z configuration. A synthetic retinoid, it is used for the treatment of severe cases of acne and other skin diseases.

Isotretinoin: A topical dermatologic agent that is used in the treatment of ACNE VULGARIS and several other skin diseases. The drug has teratogenic and other adverse effects.
retinoic acidantineoplastic agent;
keratolytic drug;
teratogenic agent
8-hydroxyguanine7,8-dihydro-8-oxoguanine : An oxopurine that is guanine in which the hydrogen at position 8 is replaced by an oxo group and in which the nitrogens at positions 7 and 9 each bear a hydrogen.

7,8-dihydro-8-oxoguanine: was substituted for guanine at G(8), G(9), G(14), or G(15) in the human telomeric oligonucleotide 5'-d[AGGGTTAG(8)G(9)GTT AG(14)G(15)GTTAGGGTGT]-3'
oxopurine