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Explain why some taste receptor cells and all olfactory receptor cells use G protein-coupled receptors, yet only olfactory receptor cells produce action potentials.

Short Answer

Expert verified

Taste and olfactory cells include receptor proteins in their plasma membranes that bind to certain chemicals and cause membrane depolarization via a signal transduction pathway, including a G-protein.

On the other hand, taste cells are not sensory neurons, although olfactory cells are sensory neurons.

Step by step solution

01

G-protein coupled receptors

G-protein coupled receptors or GPCRs are the most extensive and complex group of cell-surface receptors in a eukaryotic cell.These receptors act like an entrance for receptors like proteins, carbohydrates, peptides, and lipids.

When a signaling molecule interacts with a GPCR, the GPCR undergoes a conformational shift. The GPCR and a neighboring G-protein then interact because of this alteration.

02

Olfactory receptors

The olfactory receptors are the odorant receptors that are used to detect odor.These are the chemoreceptors present on the cell membrane that give rise to the sense of smell.

There are almost 400 olfactory receptors in humans to detect smell. The olfactory receptors are located on the receptor cells at the back of the nasal cavity forming an olfactory epithelium.

03

Action potential of olfactory receptors

In an olfactory neuron, odorant molecules are converted into action potentials.A depolarizing generator potential extends to the axon hillock due to the influx of Na+ and Ca2+.Action potentials are produced, and they are sent to synaptic terminals in the olfactory bulb.

Thus, the odorant molecules can convert into action potential and not the taste molecules, so only the odorant receptor cells can be converted into action and not any other receptor cells in the body.

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