Sense of Smell

1
Sense of Smell

• Olfactory System

2
SMELL

• Smell is the most primitive sense
• Evokes memories
• Most animals use smell to distinguish good from
  bad
• In humans, this function has shifted to our
  emotions and helps us determine LIKES and
  DISLIKES

3
SMELL

• Humans sense of smell is weak compared to other
  animals
• We dont NEED it as much
• Smell also undergoes sensory adaptation you get
  used to smells and dont notice them if you have
  been exposed for a long time

4
SMELL

• Women generally have a better sense of smell than
  men
• Smell is sharpest between ages 20 and 40

5
PHEROMONES

• Chemicals used to communicate
• Undetectable molecules secreted by glands or in
  urine that can have effects on OTHER animals
  behaviors
• Provide information about an animals identity,
  health, whether it is sexually receptive, etc.

6
PHEROMONES

• VNO sends these pheromone messages to the brain
• Humans have a VNO, but scientists are not sure
  how much we actually communicate with pheromones