When inhaled odorant molecules fit into a neuron’s corresponding olfactory receptor, the neuron fires, and the brain matches it to an odor, or perceived smell. Such fine distinctions occur via special brain cells called olfactory neurons in the upper nose that reach all the way through tiny holes in the skull, and directly into the brain. Luis Saraiva, a neurogeneticist at Sidra Medicine in Qatar who was not affiliated with the new work, says studies estimate that humans can distinguish between 10,000 and one trillion different odorants, the name scientists give to airborne chemicals that have a smell. But now a new study in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry pinpoints the specific sensor, called an olfactory receptor, responsible for detecting it. Until recently, scientists did not know precisely how humans process this rich, buttery smell.
This weekend, children armed with pillowcases and plastic pumpkins will haul in millions of pounds of Halloween candy wafting familiar scents like chocolate, peanut butter and the luxurious, uniquely enticing aroma of caramel.
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