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Within the nasal cavity, odorant molecules interact with the cilia on odorant receptor cells. The binding of odorant molecules onto receptor proteins causes a net change in the membrane permeability of the receptor cells which then causes an action potential to be generated by the receptor cell. Unlike other senses, olfaction is not redirected by the Thalmus. It instead goes directly from the afferent receptor cells to the olfactory bulb. From the olfactory bulb, the action potential is sent directly to the cerebral cortex, specifically the limbic system (this is why there is a large emotional association with smell).

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17y ago

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