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)

Compounds (19)