Smell system
What part of your body lets you smell things?
The nose.
What do objects release that allows us to smell them?
Tiny molecules (odor molecules).
What starts the process of smelling?
Smell starts when tiny odor molecules go into your nose.
Name one part of the smell system that can break down.
Olfactory nerves, olfactory bulb, or olfactory epithelium.
Which sense is the first to develop, even before birth?
Smell.
What part separates the two sides of your nose?
The nasal septum.
What special cells detect odor molecules in your nose?
Olfactory receptors.
What part of the nose has special cells that detect smells?
The olfactory epithelium.
What usually causes a temporary loss of smell?
A cold.
When is your sense of smell at its strongest during the year?
In Spring and Summer.
What part of the inside of the nose warms and filters the air?
The conchae (turbinates).
What type of energy enters the olfactory receptors?
Chemical energy.
Which brain part links smells to emotions?
Amygdala
True or False: Losing your sense of smell only affects detecting odors.
False.
What sense is linked to 75% of our emotions?
Smell.
What part of your nose has the smell receptors?
The olfactory epithelium.
What kind of signal do olfactory receptors send to the brain?
Electrical signals.
What part of the brain helps you figure out what you smell?
The olfactory cortex.
Why should you talk to a doctor if your sense of smell changes and doesn’t get better?
Because it could be a sign of a bigger problem.
How often are your scent cells renewed?
Every 28 days.
What part of the nose connects to the throat?
The nasopharynx.
Are all olfactory receptors the same, or do some detect different smells?
Some detect different smells: they are not all the same.
Which parts of the nose and brain can break down if your sense of smell fails?
The olfactory nerves, olfactory bulb, and olfactory epithelium can be affected.
Name one way losing smell affects daily life.
Eating, routines, or feeling connected
Whose sense of smell is stronger, men or women?
Women.