Odorants

Definition

Odorants are chemical compounds that activate olfactory receptors, resulting in the perception of smell. They are key to the sense of olfaction and vary widely in structure and source.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Odorants bind to specific olfactory receptor proteins located on sensory neurons within the nasal cavity.
2. The human nose can detect thousands of different odorants, each triggering unique neural patterns.
3. Odorant molecules must be volatile to reach the olfactory epithelium but also water-soluble to interact with mucus.
4. Olfactory receptor genes constitute the largest gene family in mammals, highlighting the complexity of smell perception.
5. The detection of odorants involves a signal transduction pathway that converts chemical signals into electrical signals.

Review Questions

Related terms

Olfactory Receptors: Proteins located on sensory neurons that bind with odorant molecules to initiate smell perception

Olfactory Epithelium: A specialized epithelial tissue inside the nasal cavity involved in smell

Signal Transduction Pathway: A series of molecular events triggered by an external signal (odorant) that leads to a cellular response