How does your nose work?
May 7th 2007 23:01
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Molecules from a smell have to reach your nose. Chemicals drift through the air to special neurons, a small patch at the top of your nasal passages, which have 'cilia' [small hair like projections] which increase the surface area and have contact with the air.
The molecules bind to the cilia which triggers the neuron and leads to the perception of smell.
Humans can distinguish more than 10,000 different smells. Different nasal receptors encoded by different genes recognise different smells.
When you smell many fruits or flowers, what you are smelling is esters [organic molecules] evaporating from the fruit or flower. Esters can be made artificially, and that is where artificial flavors come from.
If you'd like more information about how your nose works leave a comment and I'll see what I can do.
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Comment by Nickoftime's Sanity Corner
my nose works very well especially when it's directed at FOOD lolol
Take care,
Nick
Comment by katyzzz
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Yes, I agree, there's something about food, isn't there?
katyzzz
Comment by Nathan Hennessy
Comment by Ash
Flashes of memories
argh I have just had two days of smells making me feel really ill... sometimes things just give off aroma`s that are overpowering don`t they??? I need a little fan at the end of my nose that blows the smells in a different direction!
ash
Comment by Adrienne
Comment by katyzzz
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Thanks so much, Adrienne could I have an extra word or two next time, otherwise your comment doesn't attract any votes, which is a shame.
Ash,
I've always fancied myself as something of an inventor, I'll see what I can do; of course, if you wait around long enough and the smells become unbearable for you and everyone else, evolution will take care of it all, but I believe there is quite a waiting list.
I believe the next thing that will happen is that babies will be born with a mobile phone attached to the end of one hand, as everyone seems to be wandering around that way.
If you supress your hearing, Tracy style, you may find the perception of the smells will diminish, a certain amount of that goes on anyway, it's called habituation, psychologists know a little about that, physiologists know heaps more.
katyzzz
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
More learning for me, these posts are great. I'm allergic to dust, pollen etc so I tend to have a permanent sniffle and I don't think my sense of smell is that good....but I 'spose that would be a positive at times, especially for times like Ash has mentioned.
Byee
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Anonymous
i am bored at home waiting for my brother to take me and my cousin to the gym and i was on google and was like..hmm i wanna feel smart...what should i research on? and then he was like how noses work.. i was like okayy.. this tought me a whole lot bout the way noses work.. thanks[:
Comment by deraj pooh
thank you person who made this!!!!!!!!