How does it work
For research in the field of smell six years ago was awarded the Nobel Prize. It was shared by the Americans Richard Axel and Linda Buck, who figured out exactly how the human brain recognizes smells. Previously, it was only known that they are caught by some olfactory cells that give a signal to a special part of the brain called the olfactory bulb. It turned out that special genes are responsible for the formation of olfactory receptors - we have about a thousand, which is about 3% of the total. The olfactory receptors connected with them are located in the upper part of the nasal cavity and occupy an area approximately with a ruble coin. It is they who discover odorous molecules of odorants - substances that produce odors. Each receptor is designed to perceive and then transmit the signal to the olfactory center of the brain for only a few specific smells. As a result of the union of genes and olfactory receptors, about ten thousand combinations are formed - just as many smells are able to recognize the human brain. But do we need the ability to distinguish so many odors, considering that not all of them are pleasant? It turns out, it is necessary, and how!
Why do you need
During a cold, it seems: all food is equally tasteless. This is because the sensation of taste is closely related to the olfactory channels. With a strong runny nose, taste sensations are lubricated. The sense of smell gives us the opportunity to feel the taste of food, and the better it is developed, the more delicious the food. And we still wonder how cats and dogs can eat the same food every day and not complain. Perhaps, they are much more powerful than them, with developed smell and simple "Whiskas" opens every day with new taste nuances? Another important function of smell is signaling. If the smell contains information about the potential danger, the brain immediately gives a command to the respiratory center, and it for a moment freezes. People, unfortunately, do not always have time to feel this brain signal and, holding their breath, take their feet away from a dangerous place. A case of mass poisoning in the metro is known, when a poisonous gas was given the smell of freshly cut grass. Only especially watchful passengers managed to figure out that such a fragrance has nowhere to take in the subway, and protected the respiratory system. The rest were paid with cruel poisoning. The natural gas methane used in gas cookers does not smell at all, and the unpleasant smell is specially given to it - otherwise the victims of domestic poisoning would be immeasurably larger around the world. Aromas are widely used and in the field of trade - identical to natural coffee and lemon sprayed in front of advertising stands, the smell of freshly baked bread is used to increase consumer activity. And even, they say, the popularity of McDonald's does not die out precisely thanks to a special chemical aroma, well known to hamburger lovers all over the world. But in addition to undeniable economic and other benefits, one should not ignore such an insignificant function of smelling as ... giving pleasure. After all, it is often very pleasant to smell something.
What flavors do we like
Smells of mown grass, fresh newspapers, ozonized air after a thunderstorm, coniferous forest or coffee with cinnamon are loved by almost everyone. But there are more exotic preferences. Some people, for example, like the smell of the subway, shoe stores, damp cellars. There are connoisseurs of the aromas of gasoline, asphalt, burnt matches, acetone, small puppies and kittens, new tights, sticks from ice cream, Vishnevsky ointment ... The list goes on forever. But if you think about it, such a variety of preferences is a good field for social interactions. And if you go back to the list of more familiar flavors, then along with the smell of kittens and new tights, women, of course, like most, as it smells ... right, beloved man. And here, perhaps, the most important function of smell is included: the ability to help in finding a partner.
As conceived by nature
Let's leave aside social, cultural and other human factors and consider the process of finding a partner from a biological point of view. People are attracted by the smells of those whose gene set is different from their own. Women subconsciously perceive a man with a similar set of genes as a relative and do not see in him the father of his future children - nature has taken care of excluding possible genetic complications in the offspring. Then the brain continues to convert the signals captured by the olfactory system. A complex mechanism of biochemical processes in the body is launched - a man has a growing amount of testosterone, and a woman has estrogen. The response signals provoke an increase in attractive odors - and people like each other more and more. In women, the sense of smell is sharper (and even worse during the period of ovulation!), Therefore it is considered: they choose a man. This is justified - in fact they are responsible for the continuation of the genus.
The future is for smell
Researchers from Tel Aviv found out: depressed women do not smell. Therefore, if the nose is not warned about the arrival of spring, perhaps the psychological state of a person needs correction. Researchers from South Korea have established: the invigorating and stressful effect of coffee does not cause a drink, but its smell. To feel better after a sleepless night, (do not necessarily drink coffee, just sniff the coffee beans). German researchers sprayed different flavors near sleeping people. It turned out that the smell directly affects the images seen in the dream. If the bedroom smells like roses, dreams will be pleasant. And scientists at Yale University have discovered that such a serious problem as obesity is associated with the sensitivity of the olfactory system. People abuse harmful for the figure products because certain areas of the brain are too susceptible to their smell. It seems that in the future, with the help of the sense of smell, mankind will cope with depression, struggle with excess weight, see dreams by order and find the ideal companions of life. They say it is not far off the time when in theaters the film will be accompanied not only by a scale (at the beginning of the 20th century this seemed fantastic), but also by the corresponding smells. Curious to know how the air smells in the homeland of the blue giants - Pandora.