Odorant detection
molecules dissolve in mucus film
diffuse to cilia/bind to carrier protein
bind to specific receptors on olfactory neurons (cells may respond to more than one odorant)
L-carvone = carraway
D-carvone = spearmint
specific anosmias
Odorant binds to receptor = cAMP generation leading to receptor potential due to direct opening of Na+ channels
Ability to _ cAMP directly related to ability to generate action potentials
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