Chemical signature– experiments with hound dogs show this In the 90s, two researchers won a Nobel prize for their work on olfactory receptors. Richard Axel and Linda Buck

PMHS Name________________________

AP PSYCH
AIM: How is the sense of smell unique

1. 
   Another word for the sense of smell is O______________________
   

2. 
   Like taste, smell is a c_____________ sense. We smell something when molecules of a substance reach a tiny cluster of 5 MILLION receptor cells at the top of EACH NASAL cavity. (this makes for a
   

total of ______ million receptor cells in the nose alone). –Dogs have 230-250 of these receptors!

3. 
   As the molecules dissolve in mucus, they stimulate the cilia or
   

____________-_________endings of the olfactory receptor cells.

4. 
   This activates the cells and sends electric signals
   

5. 
   The signals or n_____________ i_____________are relayed via converged axons in the OLFACTORY BULB
   

6. 
   The signals are transmitted to higher regions of the brain – in various
   

lobes and the L__________ system, which controls

E__________________, M_______________________

Parts of limbic system include:

________________, _________________,__________________
also near _____________________________ lobe
Other interesting facts:

*Humans may each have our own unique smell or identifiable chemical signature– experiments with hound dogs show this

* In the 90s, two researchers won a Nobel prize for their work on olfactory receptors. Richard Axel and Linda Buck found that odor molecules fit specific receptor sites like a key in a lock. But we do not have a specific receptor for every kind of smell. Some odors trigger a combination of receptors.

*The ability to identify scents declines with age

*While we have a difficult time recalling the names of odors, they do elicit certain memories and emotions. One experiment placed subjects in a scented room with a frustrating computer game. When the subjects were exposed to the same odor during a verbal task, their frustration was rekindled.

*Animals secrete chemical substances/pheromones – which cause a response in the same species. Some humans argue these pheromones can be harnessed to ignite the urge of mammals (humans included) to engage in sexual intercourse.

*There is a sensory interaction between _____________ and smell

INTRODUCTION:

You are going to study if the sense of smell affects your sense of taste. You are going to see if you can identify the flavor of skittles without looking at them under two conditions, just your eyes closed and your eyes closed and holding your nose.

1. 
   What is the independent variable? State the operational definition.
   

2. 
   What is the dependent variable? State the operational definition.
   

PROCEDURE:

• 
  Blind fold first person to collect data.
  
  • 
    Give them one skittle at a time and let them eat it and identify the color based on taste. Indicate in the data table if they were correct (yes) or incorrect (no). Repeat for 10 skittles.
    

• 
  While still blindfolded have person #1 hold their nose and eat one skittle at a time and identify the color based on taste while holding their nose. Indicate in the data table if they were correct (yes) or incorrect (no). Repeat for 10 skittles.
  
• 
  Blind fold second person to collect data and repeat trial steps 1 and 2.
  

DATA:

Person #1				Person #2
Trial #	Using Nose	Holding Nose		Trial #	Using Nose	Holding Nose
1				1
2				2
3				3
4				4
5				5
6				6
7				7
8				8
9				9
10				10

Conclusion?

People who are unable to detect smell have a____________.

Anosmia correlations	Correlation?	Coach Mealy?
RELATIONSHIP WITH TASTE: Some describe the senses of smell and taste as interconnected experiences. Enjoying food without the sense of smell might be compared to seeing a rainbow in black and white.
RELATIONSHIP WITH DIET: Some people with anosmia skip meals because lure/aroma of food is not there. Other anosmics may OVEREAT. Smell might be an afferent inhibitor telling our brain to STOP EATING. (Like a stretched stomach signals to the brain that enough food has been eaten.)
RELATIONSHIP TO FOOD POISONING: Food poisoning is more prevalent in patients who cannot detect rotten food.
RELATIONSHIP TO EMOTIONS: The smells that come through our noses appear to be mostly processed in that same part of the brain as the limbic system, which is associated with emotions such as anger, fear, pleasure, sadness…