PSYC 2390 Lecture : April5.rtf
16 Apr 2012
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Document Summary
Olfactory epithelium (mucosa): mucous has olfactory binding protein, allows molecules to stick easier. Olfactory receptor neurons (orn): have cilia on the end, important in moving the mucous (or else we loose sensitivity to smell) When we smell, molecules get stuck to the cilia. Only communicate to one or two kinds of. Glomeruli, pattern of activity on glomeruli tells us what substance we are smelling. Disorders of olfaction: anosmia: smell blindness, makes it impossible to smell, temporary: occurs because of damage to the olfactory receptor neurons. Can happen from getting hit in the face, cribform plate gets crushed (snipping off the axon, killing neuron) Neurons replace themselves every 5-7 weeks, so a new one will grow in. Can happen from inhaling shit, like cocaine or. Zinc: permanent: affects all smells, damage to some part of the olfactory centre in the brain. Some specific types: people cant smell piss, sweat, skunk.
