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When odorant molecules bind to olfactory receptor neurons in the nasal mucosa, the axons of the receptor cells transmit information directly to the:

User Jin Yong
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Final answer:

The axons of olfactory receptor neurons pass along information to the olfactory bulb, which then sends signals to the brain for further processing.

Step-by-step explanation:

When odorant molecules bind to olfactory receptor neurons in the nasal mucosa, the axons of these receptor cells transmit information directly to the olfactory bulb. This structure is situated at the tip of the frontal lobe and serves as the initial processing station for olfactory information. From here, neural messages conveying sensory olfactory information are sent to various regions within the brain, including the primary olfactory cortex and areas within the limbic system. The primary olfactory cortex is located near the gustatory cortex which processes the sense of taste, while the limbic system is crucial for processing emotions and forming memories, explaining why certain smells can strongly evoke memories or feelings.

User Arnaud P
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