Question

After molecules activate smell receptors in the nose, describe how information is processed intil it reaches the olfactory bulb.

B. After molecules activate smell receptors in the nose, describe how information is processed until it reaches the olfactory bulb.

Answer 1

The vaporized odor molecules float in the air and reach nostrils and gets dissolve in the mucus. After that, underneath the mucus, in olfactory epithelium and there presents receptor cells which are called olfactory neurons. These neurons further able to detect the thousands of odors. These olfactory receptors transmit the information to olfactory bulbs which are present behind the nose and these bulbs contain sensory receptors which send messages to centers of brain i.e. limbic system and neo-cortex. Further, these centers of brain perceive the upcoming odors and work on memory to recall the places, people or events related to these olfactory sensations.