PSYC 215 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Primary Olfactory Cortex, Olfactory Mucosa, Olfactory Receptor

• School: Queen's University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 215
• Professor: Seamas Weech

Document Summary

Chemical senses: extract info from the environment by means of direct chemical interactions. Molecules from external substances interact with receptor molecules in the nose or mouth. Resulting in the generation of neural signals. Taste is a contact sense (chemical molecules have to be in a solution that makes direct contact with the chemoreceptors) We can distinguish gender on the basis of breath, hand, or armpit smell. Odors are effective in evoking powerful emotional responses and memories. Olfactory receptor neurons are found in the roof of the nasal cavity, on a patch of tissue called the olfactory epithelium. The olfactory receptor cells are constantly renewed, since each receptor cell last approx. The actual receptor cites are located on hairs (cilia) that project from each receptor cell into the olfactory mucosa. Molecules given off by volatile substances must dissolve in the olfactory mucus in order to arrive at the receptor sites on the olfactory cilia.