Names of the Components of the Olfactory Transduction Cascade
The sodium channel is opened by cAMP. As the concentration of cAMP increases the channel opens more. This allows the influx of sodium (why influx?) and the depolarization of the olfactory receptor. Calcium also enters the membrane through the sodium channels and acts as a second messenger to open chloride channels. The concentration of chloride in olfactory receptors is unusual. The chloride reversal potential is positive to the resting level. So opening the chloride channels in this case causes the membrane to depolarize, adding to the effects of the sodium channel
Movie showing the sequence of events involved in Olfactory Transduction