13 June 2012

Smell receptor

Coloured transmission electron micrograph (TEM) of a section through the olfactory (smell) epithelium of the nose. At centre (orange) is an olfactory receptor cell body. At its top two long, modified non-motile cilia project into the liquid lining of the nasal cavity. The cilia are thought to be the sites of interaction between odiferous substances and the receptor cells. Surrounding the receptor cell are the supporting cells with surface microvilli (finger-like). Within the cells, mitochondria (purple) & endoplasmic reticulum (flattened sacs) are seen.
Image from the SciencePhoto Library, via Fresh Photons.

8 comments:

  1. Adrian MorganJune 13, 2012 at 9:15 AM

    Some good pareidolia here ... I can see a considerable number of faces and bodies of fictitious beasts.

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    Replies
    1. MinnesotastanJune 13, 2012 at 9:31 AM

      The big "face" looking toward the right was one of the reasons I posted the image. :>)

      Delete
    2. AMJune 13, 2012 at 8:10 PM

      There's a horned god in my nose... go figure!

      Delete
  2. Wayne ConradJune 13, 2012 at 11:24 AM

    That's a pretty nice bit expressionism. That'd look pretty good, framed and hung.

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  3. AmyJune 13, 2012 at 7:43 PM

    That'd make a gorgeous quilt...

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  4. Estela Mares de Soto AlcuriaJune 13, 2012 at 9:41 PM

    sorry, that is this? but i like it

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    Replies
    1. MinnesotastanJune 13, 2012 at 10:28 PM

      It is a microscopic photograph of the cells in the nose that detect smells.

      Delete
  5. N.NormalJune 14, 2012 at 9:35 AM

    Van Gogh on psilocybin

    ReplyDelete