Final answer:
Perception occurs in the brain, which interprets signals received from sensory organs such as the eyes, ears, and nose. The sensory neurons transmit stimuli to the brain, and various brain regions interpret these signals to form perceptions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Perception occurs in the brain. While the eyes, ears, nose, and other sensory organs are responsible for collecting stimuli from the environment, they do not interpret these signals. It is the brain that processes and interprets the electrical impulses received from the sensory organs. For instance, sight involves the eyes sensing light, but the brain is the one interpreting these signals to enable us to 'see'. Similarly, hearing is centered on the ear detecting sound waves, but again, it is the brain that analyzes these signals to allow us to 'hear'. The sensory neurons in each sense organ transmit stimuli to the brain, where a complex network of neurons and various brain regions, including the thalamus and the cortex, interpret the information they receive.
In the context of smell, even though the sensory receptors are located in the nose, it is the temporal lobe of the cerebrum in the brain that interprets these signals and tells us what we are smelling. Therefore, the correct answer is (a) Brain, as it is the central organ where perception takes place.