The chemosensory bristle contains pores on its surface through which external stimuli like odor molecules enter the hemolymph – an aqueous solution between the bristle surface and the cells comprising the chemosensory apparatus. The cells within the bristle comprising the chemosensory apparatus are called the chemosensory sensillum. Inside the hemolymph the odor molecule can interact with a number of soluble chemosensory proteins expressed by the insect. These proteins include odorant binding proteins (OBPs), sensory appendage proteins (SAPs) and odor degrading enzymes (ODEs).

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