Question

What is olfactory? Give examples related to this.

Answer 1

Olfaction is the sense of smell. Psychologists study olfaction to learn how people process information through smell and how odors affect their behavior. Olfactory receptors are located in the epithelium (a layer of cells in the nasal cavity), which is coated with mucus. When molecules of chemicals are inhaled through the nose, they dissolve in the mucus, and olfactory receptors send information to the olfactory bulb in the brain. Because the olfactory bulb is part of the limbic system (which controls emotions), smell is strongly linked to emotions; for example, scents sometimes evoke emotional memories. Animals, including humans, also respond to the scent of pheromones (chemicals released by organisms), such as in sexual attraction. Sense of taste largely depends on olfaction.