How do receptor proteins turn the detection of an odor molecule into an electrical signal?

The process by which olfactory receptor proteins convert the detection of an odor molecule into an electrical signal is known as signal transduction. This mechanism relies on the specific structure of olfactory receptors, which are proteins embedded in the cell membrane with seven transmembrane domains.12

When an odorant molecule (a ligand) binds to a corresponding "pocket" on the receptor protein, the protein undergoes a conformational change. This shift triggers a sequence of biochemical events within the cell involving second messengers. These signaling molecules allow a single binding event to influence the opening of a large number of ion channels.12

The opening of these channels facilitates the movement of positively charged ions into the cell, which alters the electrical potential across the cell membrane. This change, called a receptor potential, is sufficient to trigger the production of action potentials. These electrical impulses then convey information about the odor to the brain.12