Smelling
Smelling
Smelling (pronunciation: /ˈsmɛlɪŋ/) is the act or process by which organisms perceive and identify odors or scents through the olfactory system.
Etymology
The term "smelling" is derived from the Old English word "smellian," which means to perceive or detect a scent.
Process
Smelling involves the detection and perception of chemicals floating in the air, a process referred to as olfaction. The olfactory system is responsible for our sense of smell. It involves several parts of the body, including the nose, the olfactory bulb, and the olfactory cortex in the brain.
Related Terms
- Olfaction: The sense or act of smelling.
- Olfactory system: The bodily system that aids in the sense of smell.
- Nose: The organ through which the process of smelling begins.
- Olfactory bulb: A structure in the brain that processes information about odors.
- Olfactory cortex: The region in the brain that is associated with the perception of smell.
Importance
Smelling is an important sense as it can alert us to danger (like smoke from a fire), influence our food preferences and eating habits, and even impact our memory and emotional state. It is also essential for flavor, as what we perceive as the taste of food is largely derived from its smell.
Disorders
There are several disorders associated with the sense of smell, including anosmia, the inability to perceive odor, and hyperosmia, an increased sensitivity to odors. These conditions can be caused by a variety of factors, including aging, neurological disorders, and damage to the olfactory system.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Smelling
- Wikipedia's article - Smelling
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