PS102 Lecture Notes - Lecture 12: Olfactory Epithelium
Chemical Senses - Taste & Smell
● Chemical sense
○ Rely on chemical molecules not a form of ‘energy’
● Taste
○ Chemical receptors = taste buds - consist of several receptor cells
○ About 9000 taste buds grouped in different regions
○ Located on edges and back of tongue
Sense of Taste
● Taste sensations are: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami
● Papillae are small bumps on the tongue that contain taste buds
● People can refine their sense of taste - some people can taste the differences in butter,
wine
Sense of Smell
● Olfactory epithelium
● Olfactory bulbs
● Pheromones
Smell
● Smell / Olfaction
○ Receptors line upper nasal cavity
○ About 40 million receptors
○ Have receptor sites that resemble neurotransmitter binding site
○ Odour molecules ‘lock’ into certain sites
● Receptors send messages to olfactory area in brain
Sense of Touch
● Sensitive to 4 tactile sensations
○ Pressure, pain, warmth, cold
● Skin is largest organ in body
○ Contains variety of receptor structures
● Pain and temperature
○ Free nerve ending receptors beneath skin’s surface ……………..
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Document Summary
Rely on chemical molecules not a form of energy". Chemical receptors = taste buds - consist of several receptor cells. About 9000 taste buds grouped in different regions. Located on edges and back of tongue. Taste sensations are: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami. Papillae are small bumps on the tongue that contain taste buds. People can refine their sense of taste - some people can taste the differences in butter, wine. Have receptor sites that resemble neurotransmitter binding site. Receptors send messages to olfactory area in brain.
