The Human Sense of Smell

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It concentrates volatile molecules in the olfactory area, increasing receptor stimulation. (correct)
It increases mucus production, facilitating the dissolution of volatile molecules.
It warms the air entering the nose, improving receptor sensitivity.
It neutralizes inflammatory responses in the nasal mucosa, preventing anosmia.

By overstimulating the olfactory chemoreceptors, causing sensory overload.
By cooling the air entering the nose, reducing the volatility of odorous substances.
By preventing volatile substances from reaching the olfactory area. (correct)
By changing the composition of the mucus, inhibiting the dissolution of volatile molecules.

Pheromones enhance the sense of smell in animals; in humans, they cause olfactory fatigue.
Pheromones facilitate auditory communication in animals; in humans, they enhance visual perception.
Pheromones are involved in complex signaling such as mating and territorial behavior in animals; their role in human communication is currently unknown. (correct)
Pheromones regulate body temperature in animals; in humans, they primarily affect appetite.

By dissolving in mucus at very low concentrations. (A) Signup and view all the answers

They increase salivation and stimulate the digestive system. (D) Signup and view all the answers

By carrying eddies of inspired air to the roof of the nasal cavity where olfactory receptors are located. (C) Signup and view all the answers

The human sense of smell is generally less acute than that of many other animals. (B) Signup and view all the answers

By directly influencing emotional processing centers in the brain, such as the amygdala. (D) Signup and view all the answers

It helps carry eddies of inspired air to the nasal cavity roof. (D) Signup and view all the answers

By causing inflammation of the nasal mucosa, preventing odorous substances from reaching the olfactory area. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Chemicals secreted by animals for communication related to behaviours like mating or territorial marking.

Volatile molecules stimulate olfactory chemoreceptors in the nose, enabling the detection of smells.

Warming air and sniffing concentrates volatile molecules, enhancing smell perception.

Pleasant smells improve appetite, while unpleasant smells decrease it; also linked to salivation and stimulating the digestive system.

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Distinctive smells can trigger strong, long-lasting memories.

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Loss of sense of smell, often caused by nasal inflammation preventing odorants from reaching olfactory receptors.

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Human sense of smell is less acute than in other animals.
Many animals secrete odorous chemicals called pheromones.
Pheromones facilitate chemical communication, such as in territorial behavior, mating, and mother-newborn bonding.
Pheromones role in human communication is unknown.
All odorous materials emit volatile molecules.
Volatile molecules are carried into the nose with inhaled air.
Olfactory chemoreceptors are stimulated when volatile molecules dissolve in mucus, even at low concentrations.
Air entering the nose is warmed, and convection currents carry air to the nasal cavity roof and 'sniffing' concentrates volatile molecules in the roof of the nose.
Concentrating volatile molecules increases the number of stimulated olfactory receptors, enhancing smell perception.
Sense of smell can affect appetite; pleasant odors may improve appetite and vice versa.
An appetising smell increases salivation and stimulates the digestive system.
The sense of smell can create long-lasting memories, particularly for distinctive odors like hospital smells or favorite foods.
Inflammation of the nasal mucosa prevents odorous substances from reaching the olfactory area, causing loss of the sense of smell (anosmia).
A common cause of anosmia is a cold.