ANATOMY

Detailed explanation-1: -Substances that smell give off tiny molecules. Inhaling moves these molecules into your nose. There, special cells (olfactory receptors) detect these molecules. The receptors relay this information to your brain through your olfactory nerve and allow you to perceive smell.

Detailed explanation-2: -Olfactory neurons in the nose can detect and distinguish between tens of thousands of different odor producing substances. They do so by using hundreds of unique sensors called olfactory receptors, each of which responds to a specific type of odor.

Detailed explanation-3: -Odorants are first detected in the upper region of the nose by the main olfactory epithelium (OE). In this region, millions of olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) interact with odor molecules through the odorant receptors (ORs), which belong to the superfamily of G protein-coupled receptors.

Detailed explanation-4: -The sense of smell plays a vital role in finding food, discriminating it from toxic substances, and appreciating its flavor (smell is a key component of what we commonly call “taste”-see below).

Detailed explanation-5: -Olfactory receptors (ORs) belong to the G-protein-coupled receptor family and play a critical role in recognizing thousands of odorant molecules in the olfactory sensory system. ORs have been found to comprise a multigene family in various species, from fish to mammals.