haistamiskudokset

Haistamiskudokset, also known as olfactory epithelium, are specialized tissues located in the nasal cavity responsible for the sense of smell. These tissues contain a high concentration of olfactory receptor neurons, which are the primary cells that detect odor molecules. When a volatile chemical compound enters the nasal cavity, it dissolves in the mucus layer covering the haistamiskudokset. This allows the odor molecules to come into contact with the cilia of the olfactory receptor neurons.

Each olfactory receptor neuron possesses numerous cilia, which are tiny, hair-like projections extending into the mucus. Embedded within the membrane of these cilia are olfactory receptor proteins. Each neuron typically expresses a specific type of olfactory receptor protein. When an odor molecule binds to its corresponding receptor protein, it triggers a signal transduction cascade within the neuron. This cascade ultimately leads to the generation of an electrical signal.

These electrical signals are then transmitted along the axons of the olfactory receptor neurons, which pass through the cribriform plate of the skull and synapse in the olfactory bulb, located at the base of the brain. The olfactory bulb processes these signals and relays them to other areas of the brain, such as the piriform cortex and amygdala, where they are interpreted as specific smells and contribute to emotional responses and memories associated with those smells. The haistamiskudokset are continuously regenerating, with olfactory receptor neurons having a relatively short lifespan.