---
title: "How does the sense of smell work?"  
description: "How does the sense of smell work?"  
author: "Erick Wilsom"  
published: 2023-10-19  
updated: 2023-10-21  
canonical: https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/103932/how-does-the-sense-of-smell-work  
category: "science"  
tags: ["science"]  
reading_time: 2 minutes  

---

# How does the sense of smell work?



## Answers

### Answer by Saumya Mishra

**Olfaction, which refers to the sense of smell, is a sophisticated system that enables us to perceive different smells around us. It involves several key steps:**

- **Odorant** [**Molecules**](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/view/81845/now-it-s-possible-to-predict-properties-of-any-molecule): Volatile (odorant) molecules released from the substances are taken in via the nose when they are sucked through the mouth.
- **Olfactory Receptors**: There are millions of [specialized](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/audio/1209/caregivers-support-personnel-s-function-in-specialized-disability-accommodation) olfactory receptor neurons found within the nasal passage. Such neurons, having odorant receptors at their top, comprise specialized nerves. A different smell molecule’s [sensitivity](https://www.mindstick.com/interview/2273/what-are-different-types-of-collation-sensitivity) is the receptor.
- [**Signal**](https://www.mindstick.com/articles/279839/enrgtech-signal-application-connectors) **Transduction**: The binding of an odorant molecule with an olfactory neuron receptor triggers a chain of chemical processes. It creates electrical signals in these neurons.
- **Olfactory Bulb**: Secondly, the electrical signal is relayed to the olfactory bulb, which is located beneath the [brain](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/view/85330/can-brain-chips-replace-the-human-brain) and has the [responsibility](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/104498/what-is-the-significance-of-the-fiscal-responsibility-and-budget-management-act) of [processing](https://www.mindstick.com/blog/254/background-processing-in-android) smell information.
- **Brain Processing**: The information passes through every part of the brain like the limbic system which is [responsible](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/94149/who-is-one-of-the-responsible-person-for-the-department-of-space-dos) for emotion and memory, and the neocortex where it is finally understood. In this way, we are able to get different smells which makes us see them apart.
- **[Perception](https://www.mindstick.com/blog/300933/what-is-perception-in-psychology)**: This means that as soon as the brain gets the signals in the form of patterns of electrical [activities](https://www.mindstick.com/interview/2306/differentiate-activities-from-services) coming from different olfactory receptor cells, it is able to construct an odor’s perceptions of quality, intensity, and source.


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Original Source: https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/103932/how-does-the-sense-of-smell-work

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