Interpretation on Scientific Article about Sense of Smell Essay example

IntroductionThe sense of tactile property is what informs an organism of the chemical piece of their surrounding environment. The sense of smell is called olfaction and in humans, it is less create than in or so other mammals. The olfactory system contains epithelial cells that ar unique because they be capable of regeneration, unlike most other neurons. The receptors for some(prenominal) taste and smell atomic number 18 called chemoreceptors. They ar termed chemoreceptors because they respond to chemicals that are in aqueous solution.The olfactory epithelium is what allows us to smell it is located in the roof of the nasal cavity and contains millions of sensory neurons. It is a patch and contains most 50 million sensory receptor cells. The receptor cells being referred to are actually neurons. The olfactory epithelium is comprised of three different layers, which include musical accompaniment cells, olfactory receptor cells, and basal cells. Supporting cells aid in the production of mucous and they support the olfactory receptor cells. The basal cells are at the base of the epithelium and they are the source of newly developed receptors. diminutive hair like structures, called cilia, are found on the olfactory receptors and they are covered with mucous. If molecules entering the nostrils dissolve in the mucous, they stimulate the receptors and the sense of smell is evoked. The substances that tin can be smelled have to be able to evaporate at normal temperatures and should be fairly water soluble so they can pass through the mucous. The molecules should also be lipid soluble because the cilia are composed of lipids. A mature sensory neuron is a bipolar neuron, meaning it has two poles, or ends. The neuron receives signals through a frontmost known as a dendri... ... but quite possibly most important, much research is being conducted involving the degeneration of the olfactory system. One of the first signs of Alzheimers disease is the loss of smell. By considering the plasticity of the receptors in the olfactory system, there may be a way to further understand why degeneration takes place and how it could be treated.The future of this science is furthest reaching and combined with gene expression, it will become a het up(p) topic. There are exciting discoveries taking place, such as the odorant receptors in sperm and even products in the material world. The olfactory system should endure a long future of discoveries due to the intricacies of its circuitry and the vast network it encompasses. ReferencesMomberts. Nature. putting Smell on the Map. Volume 419. pg. 296-300. 19 Sept. 2002. 2002 Nature print Group.