Question

How does the respiratory system create a sense of smell?

a) Olfactory receptors in the nose detect airborne chemicals
b) Taste buds on the tongue respond to inhaled particles
c) Skin receptors sense odors in the environment
d) Auditory receptors in the ears interpret smell signals

Answer 1

The sense of smell is created by olfactory receptors in the nasal passages that detect chemicals in the air and send signals to the brain, allowing us to distinguish hundreds of odors.

Step-by-step explanation:

The respiratory system creates a sense of smell through olfactory receptors located in the nasal passages. These receptors detect airborne chemicals and send signals to the olfactory bulb in the brain. When odor molecules enter the nose, they dissolve in the mucus of the olfactory epithelium, bind to receptor proteins, and initiate a signal to the olfactory bulb. Unlike taste receptors that can sense only five different tastes, olfactory receptors can distinguish hundreds of different odors. This sense of smell also contributes significantly to our sense of taste, explaining why food seems flavorless when we have a stuffy nose due to congestion blocking the ability to smell.