Riechzellen

Riechzellen, also known as olfactory receptor neurons, are specialized nerve cells responsible for detecting smells. Located in the olfactory epithelium within the nasal cavity of vertebrates, these cells play a crucial role in the sense of smell. Each Riechzelle possesses a dendrite that extends to the surface of the epithelium, terminating in a knob that bears several cilia. These cilia are studded with odorant receptors, proteins that bind to specific odor molecules in the air.

When an odor molecule binds to a receptor on a Riechzelle, it triggers a signal transduction cascade within the neuron. This cascade ultimately leads to the generation of an electrical impulse. This impulse is then transmitted along the axon of the Riechzelle, which passes through the cribriform plate of the ethmoid bone and synapses in the olfactory bulb, the first processing center for olfactory information in the brain.

Different Riechzellen express different types of odorant receptors, allowing for the detection of a vast array of chemical compounds. The precise combination and intensity of signals from various Riechzellen are interpreted by the brain to create our perception of different smells. The continuous regeneration of Riechzellen throughout an organism's life is a unique characteristic, ensuring the maintenance of olfactory function. Damage to these cells can lead to a loss or alteration of smell, known as anosmia or dysosmia, respectively.