Chemical Sense II — Smell

M.O. Welcome MD, MMedSci, Ph.D

Department of Physiology
College of Health Sciences,
Nile University of Nigeria,
FCT – Abuja
 Contents
1. Introduction

3. Trans-
mission of
2. Excitation & signal into
signal CNS/Applied
transduction physiology
 Introduction

The sensation of smell is a subjective perception of

odor or aroma of substances.
 Olfactory cells

The olfactory cells are the receptor cells for smell sensation.
These cells are bipolar nerve cells (roughly 100 million) in the
olfactory epithelium interspersed among sustentacular cells.
The mucosal end of the olfactory cell forms a knob from which 4-
25 olfactory hairs (olfactory cilia) project into the mucus that coats
the inner surface of the nasal cavity.
The olfactory cilia react to odors in the air and stimulate the
olfactory cells.
There are also mucus secreting glands (Bowman’s glands) located
among the olfactory cells.
The olfactory
membrane,
olfactory bulb,
and
connections to
the olfactory
tract
Organization of the
olfactory membrane and
olfactory bulb, and
connections to the
olfactory tract (Guyton & Hall
Textbook of Medical Physiology).
 Mechanism of Excitation of the Olfactory Cells

The chemical stimulus (odorant) diffuses into the mucus, coming in contact
with the cilia of the olfactory cell.
The chemical binds with a trimeric G-protein receptor in the membrane of the
cilia of the olfactory cell.
Upon receptor activation, alpha subunit dissociates from the G-protein,
activating adenylyl cyclase in the ciliary inner membrane near the cell body.
The activated adenylyl cyclase converts ATP into into cAMP.
The cAMP activates a Na+ channel, causing influx of Na into the cell
cytoplasm.
The Ca2+-permeable channels and Ca2+-activated chloride channels also
play a critical role in olfactory signal transduction.
• Signal transduction
in olfactory cell
The resting membrane
potential is about –
55mV.
Odorants cause
depolarization and
decrease the negativity
to about –30mV.
 Mechanism of Excitation of the Olfactory Cells

Na, Ca and Cl ions increase the membrane

potential in the positive direction inside the cell
membrane.
The result is excitation of the olfactory neuron, and
transmission of action potentials into the CNS via
the olfactory nerve.
Types of Sensations of Smell
 There are at least 100
primary sensations of smell.
 These sensations include
Camphoraceous
Floral
Pepperminty
Pungent
Putrid
 Affective Nature of Smell

Smell has the affective quality of pleasantness or

unpleasantness.
For instance, perfume of the right quality can
stimulate human emotions.

Some animals us odors are the primary

excitatory drive for sexual activity (pheromones).
 Transmission of Smell Signals into the CNS

The olfactory tract extends into the brain, passing medially into the medial
olfactory area of the brain stem, and another pathway, passing laterally into the
lateral olfactory area.
The medial olfactory area is a very old olfactory system (mainly consists of septal
nuclei etc.)
The lateral olfactory area is a less old system (mainly consists of prepyriform and
pyriform cortex plus the cortical portion of the amygdaloid nuclei.
The septal nuclei, prepyriform, pyriform cortex and amygdaloid nuclei are
components of the limbic system, responsible for behavioral responses to smell,
emotion.
Thus, aversive smell of foods etc. can trigger nausea and vomiting by activating
the limbic structures, which interconnect with brainstem regions of gastrointestinal
activity (e.g. vomiting center).
Transmission of smell signal into the CNS
 Applied Physiology
Smell blindness: Lack of smell perception for
specific substance.
It is due to lack of the appropriate receptor protein
in olfactory cells for that particular substance.

Some disorders are associated with loss of smell.

COVID-19 symptoms include hyposmia (partial loss of
smell) or anosmia (complete loss of smell) – Olfactory
Disorders.
Other olfactory disorders include parosmia (distorted odor
perception in the presence of an odor) and phantosmia
(odor perception in the absence of odor source).
Thank
you!