BIO-320 Study Guide - Optic Chiasm, Visual Cortex, Visual Impairment
Document Summary
Explain what would happen to your sense of smell if there were no basal cells present in the olfactory epithelium. The cell that gives rise to the olfactory nerve"s receptor is known as a basal cell. The olfactory system is unique in that it has a constant turnover and new supply of these neurons. When the cells are destroyed, this basal cell assists in the production of new cells. Damage to the basal cell, or the complete loss of these cells, can result in the loss of the olfactory cell, which can result in a loss of smell. The optic chiasm allows the visual cortex to receive the same hemispheric visual field from both eyes due to the partial crossing over of optic nerve fibers. The optic chiasma, as far as i can tell, is a link between the eyes.
