Modeling the Effects of Canonical and Alternative Pathways on Intracellular Calcium Levels in Mouse Olfactory Sensory Neurons

Abstract

Mammals, including humans, have a sophisticated olfactory system that can detect a wide range of odors and transform the chemical cues to electrical signals that are later transmitted to and processed in the brain. The ability to correctly detect and differentiate among various kinds of odors is essential to the survival of individuals and species. Found in the nasal cavity, the olfactory sensory neuron (OSN) plays an important role in detecting odor chemicals and initiating the sense of smell. By understanding olfactory transduction pathways with insight in the response kinetics, we can apply the findings not only to mammalian olfactory system but also to other physiological systems that employ similar pathways or mechanisms.