Introduction

            The sense of smell mainly depends on the olfactory cells that are contained in the nose. The nose is a protuberance that is situated between the mouth and the eyes. It makes part of the respiratory system that allow a person to breath in (inhalation) and out (exhalation). Other than breathing, the presence of the olfactory receptor or cells makes it possible for a person to feel, perceive, or differentiate different odors.  As much as sense of smell is concerned, olfaction is the main strategy that is used for the purpose of enhancing or forming sense and smell. The reason for that is because research indicates that olfaction has various factions including detecting food, pheromones, and environmental hazards (Brewster, 2012). In the process of integrating with other senses it becomes possible to develop the sense of flavor. On the other hand, what this indicates is the fact that human sense of smell takes into account the functionalities of the olfactory receptors that are located just within the nasal cavity (Brewster, 2012).

            Within the nasal cavity, the presence of glomeruli is the one that aid in receiving signals from the olfactory cells before transmitting them to the olfactory bulb. The triggering of the sensory input is what enables the interactions of section of the detection sections of the brain to enhance smell identification, memory, or arousal of emotions.  Regardless of that, it should be understood that each organism, especially land and water animals has different smell detection mechanisms (Carey, 2010).

            Accordingly, once a person detects a certain smell using the olfactory neurons that are located in the upper section of the nose, they end up generating an impulse that is transmitted to the brain. Using the olfactory bulb, there is the transmission of the smell signals to other associated regions that are collectively termed as the limbic system. Despite that, research indicates that animals that animals possessing olfactory cells have the potential of thinking smells which in return enables them to them to evoke certain memories (Carey, 2010). Although such a scenario can occur spontaneously, smell detection has the potential of recalling past forgotten experience or events.

            In connection with that, although the sense of smell is something that is closely associated with memory, it is a phenomenon that is highly emotive. For instance, smell is something that has been realized to have the capability of displaying the attractions that exists between people. Ideally, the odor that is produced by the human body is a chemical that is the genes that are contained in an individual’s immune system. What this implies is the fact that an emotional response is something that is ultimately governed by association. The reason as to why the sense of smell is important is because it an adaptive trait that is associated with survival, especially fear and disgust. For instance, the perception of bad smell has the potential of triggering avoidance behaviors (Carey, 2010).  Therefore, the sensitivity towards certain smell is associated with particular stimuli which in return have a direct link to memory. Moreover, there are various disorders that impact human sense of smell, for example, insomnia, parosmia, hypersmia, and so on. A person continues to develop a sense of smell as he or she grows but later becomes impaired due to injury and other associated illness.

 

 

 

 

 

                                                            References

Brewster, J. (2012). Investigate your sense of smell. Pelham, NY: Benchmark Education.

Carey, M. (2010). Sense of Smell. ABDO Press