60 Questions
What is the estimated number of skin cells shed by humans per hour?
200 million
How many times do humans breathe on average per day?
20,000 times
What is a unique property of smell compared to sound and light?
It cannot be measured on a scale
Why can some odour sources last a long time?
Because of their physical properties
What is a benefit of smell and sound communication?
It limits the risks of aggression
What is necessary for humans to detect chemicals through smell and taste?
The chemicals must be dissolved in a liquid
What is the primary route by which chemicals enter the body to stimulate olfactory nerves?
Through the nose
What is a common function of smell and communication between plants and animals?
Attracting pollinators
What is the average amount of faeces produced by humans per day?
120g
How many hairs do humans lose on average per day?
50-100 hairs
What is the function of the vomeronasal organ in mammals?
To distinguish sexual signs
What is unique about the sense of smell in dolphins?
They do not have an olfactory nerve
Why do many toxins have a bitter taste?
To avoid ingesting toxins that might harm/kill us
What is the function of the turbinal bones in the olfactory recess of dogs?
To increase the surface area for olfaction
What is the term for chemicals that facilitate communication between animals of the same species?
Pheromones
What is unique about the sense of taste in catfish?
They have taste receptors all over their body
What is the term for chemicals that facilitate communication between animals of different species to the advantage of the sender but not the receiver?
Allomones
What is the purpose of the slit running along the side of the nose in some animals?
To minimize disturbance to the molecules being smelled
What is the term for the chemical composition of a scent mark changing over time?
Diffusion
How do female mosquitoes confirm the presence of a human before inserting their proboscis?
By detecting lactic acid on skin
What is the primary function of a scent plume in chemical odor detection?
To spread out with distance from the original source
What is the primary source of DMS, which contributes to the distinctive smell of seawater?
Phytoplankton
What is the unique ability of elephants regarding food containers?
Identifying the quantity of food
What is the purpose of social ants rubbing their antennas together?
To confirm species identity
What is the primary function of intraspecific communication in animals?
To convey information about species, social group, and individual identity
Which birds are known to detect carrion by smell?
Turkey vultures
What is the unique ability of migrating salmon?
To identify their natal river by smell
What is the primary application of detection dogs in animal smell?
Detection of drugs, money, and human trafficking
Which animals are capable of detecting disease in prey?
Wolves
What is the unique feature of puff adders regarding smell?
They are almost undetectable by smell
What is the primary reason why some odour sources can be used to provide information about the subject without the subject being present?
The rate of diffusion of the odour molecules
What is the similarity between smell and taste in terms of detection?
Both require chemicals to be dissolved in a liquid
What is the primary function of the molecules released by humans and other organisms?
To unintentionally provide information about the subject
What is the advantage of smell communication over sound and light communication?
It allows for the detection of a wide range of molecules
What is the role of plants in terms of smell and communication?
They release a wide range of odours for various purposes
What is the primary route by which chemicals enter the body to stimulate olfactory nerves?
Through the nose
What is the primary function of the turbinal bones in the olfactory recess of dogs?
To increase the surface area for olfactory receptors
Which of the following animals uses its feet to taste its food?
Catfish
What is the estimated daily production of urine by humans?
0.8-2.0 litres
What is the primary function of the vomeronasal organ in mammals?
To distinguish sexual signs
What is the purpose of the molecules released by humans and other organisms in terms of communication?
To unintentionally provide information about the subject
What is the primary difference between smell and taste in terms of detection?
Smell detects molecules in the air, while taste detects molecules in a liquid
What is the term for chemicals that change over time in a scent mark?
Volatile compounds
Why do many toxins have a bitter taste?
To avoid ingesting toxins that might harm us
What is the benefit of the sense of smell in terms of detecting information?
It allows for the detection of information without the risk of aggression
Which of the following animals is capable of detecting disease in prey?
Not mentioned in the text
What is the primary function of the olfactory epithelium in dogs?
To increase the surface area for olfactory receptors
What is the term for chemicals that facilitate communication between animals of the same species?
Pheromones
Which of the following birds is capable of detecting carrion by smell?
Not mentioned in the text
What is the primary function of the slit running along the side of the nose in some animals?
To minimize disturbance to molecules in front of the nostrils
What is a possible reason why an animal may move in a zig-zag fashion when detecting a scent plume?
To rapidly identify the source of the chemical odor
What is the primary function of scent marks in locations where conspecifics will find them?
To facilitate intraspecific communication
What is the role of DMS in the smell of seawater?
It is released by phytoplankton when eaten by krill
What is unique about the ability of elephants to identify the quantity of food in a container?
They can identify the quantity of food through smell
What is the purpose of social ants rubbing their antennas together?
To confirm species and colony identification
What is the unique ability of homing pigeons?
They can identify 'landmarks' by smell
What is the primary function of intraspecific communication in animals?
To communicate species, social group, sex, reproductive status, social status, and individual identity
What is the benefit of using detection dogs in conservation?
They can detect human trafficking
What is a possible reason why migrating salmon can identify their natal river by taste and smell?
They can detect the unique chemical composition of their natal river
What is the primary function of the scent plume in chemical odor detection?
To make the source of the odor harder to locate
Learn about the unintentional and deliberate shedding of molecules by humans and plants, including skin cells, hair, breath, and waste. Discover how plants communicate with each other through emitted odours.
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