8 Olfactory and gustatory system Olfaction and sense of taste are closely interconnected „chemical senses“ Olfaction and sense of taste are closely interconnected „chemical senses“ Olfaction • Ability to sense chemical compounds dispersed in the air Olfaction • Ability to sense chemical compounds dispersed in the air • Influenced evolution of neocortex Olfaction • Ability to sense chemical compounds dispersed in the air • Influenced evolution of neocortex • Place identification • Food identification Olfaction • Ability to sense chemical compounds dispersed in the air • Influenced evolution of neocortex • Place identification • Food identification • Human being is a microolfactoric organism – Loss of analytic capabilities led to a relative enhancement of psychological component Olfaction • Humans can distinguish about 80 chemicals • Better sensitivity to liposoluble molecules • Olfaction degenerates with age http://www.slideshare.net/drpsdeb/presentations Olfaction http://www.slideshare.net/drpsdeb/presentations Olfaction http://www.slideshare.net/drpsdeb/presentations Olfaction http://www.slideshare.net/drpsdeb/presentations Olfaction http://www.slideshare.net/drpsdeb/presentations Sense of taste • Ability to sense chemical compounds dissolved in saliva Sense of taste • Ability to sense chemical compounds dissolved in saliva • Close connection with olfaction • Food identification Sense of taste • Ability to sense chemical compounds dissolved in saliva • Close connection with olfaction • Food identification • Connection to the reward system Sense of taste • Ability to sense chemical compounds dissolved in saliva • Close connection with olfaction • Food identification • Connection to the reward system Thermoreceptors • Free nerve endings sensitive to heat • TRP channels(transient receptor potential) • Each subtype of TRP channels is sensitive to a certain temperature and chemical substance http://www.slideshare.net/CsillaEgri/presentations Sense of taste http://www.slideshare.net/drpsdeb/presentations http://www.slideshare.net/drpsdeb/presentations Sense of taste http://media.tumblr.com/1abd820225a3792d0787cd3b53ada989/tu mblr_inline_mqyyza95I71qz4rgp.png http://www.slideshare.net/drpsdeb/presentations Sense of taste