Sense of smell

Sense of smell
Least understood of all sensations Subjective phenomenon Poorly developed in human beings as compared to animals

Olfactory membrane
Surface area 2.4 cm square Superior part of each nostril mediallyfolds downward along the surface of superior septum laterallyfolds over superior turbinate or small portion of upper surface of middle turbinate

Olfactory cells
Receptor cell for smell sensation Bipolar nerve cells derived originally from central nervous system 100 million in no. Interspersed among sustentacular cells from their mucosal ends 4-25 olfactory hairs originate called olfactory cilia penetrate through the mucous n form a dense mat in the mucous

Bowman glands
Spaced among olfactory cells Secrete mucous

Mechanism of excitation of olfactory cells

The portion of olfactory cells that respond to smell is olfactory cilia Odorant substance first diffuses through mucous then binds to receptor proteins in the membrane of cilium receptor protein threads its way through the membrane about seven times

 Odorant substance binds to the portion of receptor protein to outside The portion on the inside of membrane is attached to G protein( alpha , beta & gamma subunits) Alpha subunit detaches and activates adenylyl cyclase. ATP converted to c A MP. Which activates sodium ion channels. sodium pours in. action potential generated, thus exciting the olfactory neuron

Exquisite sensitivity of olfactory neuron

Minute concentration of specific odorant opens large no. of sodium chanels.

Physical factors affecting stimulation of olfactory cells

characteristics of odorant Volatile substance (to get sniffed) Slightly water soluble ( for mucous) Slightly lipid soluble ( for cilium)

Membrane potentials & action potentials in olfactory cells

Membrane potential of unstimulated olfactory cell----- negative 55 mV once/ 20 sec. action potential generated Depolarization of olfactory cell negative 55 to negative 30 mV 20 to 30 action potentials generated per second

Degree of stimulation is proportional to stimulus strength

Adaptation
50% receptors adapt in first second.slow adaptation after that. Smell sensation adapt to extinction within a minute or so psychological adaptation is far greater than actual adaptation. Possible cause is nerve fibres from olfactory regions of brain terminate on special inhibitory cells called GRANULE cells in the olfactory bulb

Primary sensations of smell

Camphoraceous Musky Floral Pepperminty Ethereal Pungent putrid

Affective nature of smell

Pleasantness Unpleasantness e.g vomiting on the smell of food

Theshold for stimuli

Methylemercaptan smelled even when 25th trillionth of a gram is present

Gradation of smell intensities

the stimulus 10 to 15 times above threshold evokes maximum intensity of smell. sense of smell is more concerned by presence or absence of smell rather than quantitative detection of its intensities.