Here's a breakdown of their function:
* Location: These neurons are located in a small patch of tissue called the olfactory epithelium, which is found at the top of the nasal cavity.
* Structure: They have hair-like structures called cilia that extend into the nasal cavity. These cilia are covered in olfactory receptors, which bind to odor molecules.
* Function: When an odor molecule binds to an olfactory receptor, it triggers a signal that travels along the olfactory sensory neuron to the olfactory bulb in the brain. This signal is then processed by the brain, resulting in the perception of a smell.
It's important to note that olfactory sensory neurons are constantly being replaced, with new ones being generated from stem cells. This helps to ensure that the sense of smell is maintained over time.