Olfactory receptor

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

(Redirected from Olfactory receptors)

Olfactory receptor

The olfactory receptor (OR) is a type of protein that is involved in the sense of smell. It is a part of the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) superfamily, which is a large group of proteins that play a role in many different physiological functions.

Structure[edit | edit source]

Olfactory receptors are located in the cell membrane of olfactory receptor neurons and are responsible for the detection of odor molecules. Structurally, these receptors are composed of seven transmembrane domains connected by intra- and extracellular loops, a characteristic shared with many other GPCRs.

Function[edit | edit source]

The primary function of olfactory receptors is to bind odor molecules and initiate a neural response that triggers the perception of a smell. The olfactory receptors are highly specialized, and each one recognizes a few specific odor molecules. The receptors are activated when they bind to the odor molecule, which triggers a signal transduction pathway that leads to a neural response.

Genetic diversity[edit | edit source]

There is a great deal of genetic diversity in olfactory receptors. In humans, there are approximately 400 functional olfactory receptor genes and over 600 pseudogenes. This diversity allows for the detection of a wide range of odors.

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]


External links[edit | edit source]

Olfactory receptor Resources
Wikipedia
WikiMD
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD

Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Let Food Be Thy Medicine
Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates

Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD