Exercise 1 - Andrey C., Eve Z., Leigh M., Allison L.

SMELL

The sense of Smell is scientifically classified as Olfaction. In the air there are several different particles, many of which we inhale everyday. More specifically, odor molecules released from particular objects are what our brain calculates to be Smell. These tiny particles are called Esters. Esters are not visible by the naked eye or the microscope.

These odor molecules travel in the stream of air that is inhaled through the nose and into the nasal cavity. Located at the top of the nasal cavity is the Olfactory bulb. This bulb serves the purpose of the primary receptor of the molecules.

The receptor consists most importantly of tiny strands of nerve fibers, which are submerged in mucus. Upon contact, the Esters are dissolved in the mucus and the strands absorb them thus sending information to the Brain and Smell is detected.

Eve
Andrey
Leigh
Allison

--
IMAGES
1. http://www.medicinealternative.com
2. http://www.life.umd.edu/classroom/bsci338m/Lectures/Nervous.html

INFORMATION SOURCES
1. Froman, Robert. The Many Human Sense. Boston, Massachusetts: Little, Brown, and Company, 1966.
2. http://www.hitl.washington.edu/people/tfurness/courses/inde543/reports/3doc