Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    ilovelife77's Avatar
    ilovelife77 Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Jan 25, 2010, 07:03 PM
    Why do we sniff when we want to smell something better?
    This is a question for my anatomy and physiology class. We are studying olfaction and gustation.
    rosemcs's Avatar
    rosemcs Posts: 325, Reputation: 47
    Full Member
    		  
    #2

    Jan 25, 2010, 09:34 PM

    Here is from a source that is easier to understand then your typical science journal... I can see why you would ask. The language can be complicated in some of the studies.


    ... mechanical stimulation from sniffing might enhance neuron activity and thus boost nasal sensitivity, especially when scents are faint. Airflow into the nose might help rouse neurons enough to help detect faint odors that the neurons had previously failed to detect in an unaroused state.
    Sniffing the air helps us smell better - LiveScience- msnbc.com
    FlyYakker's Avatar
    FlyYakker Posts: 378, Reputation: 41
    Full Member
    		  
    #3

    Jan 31, 2010, 03:34 PM

    Or it could be that sniffing simply brings in more of the air carrying the scent, but I'll buy that it might also stimulate neurons too.
Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions
 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

Foul smell in front entrance to home-onion smell [ 6 Answers ]

A really weird smell, like rotten onions, quite embarrassing because my home is kept spotless everyone comments on the smell right when they walk into the house. There is a shower stall in a bedroom above this entrance but we have snaked it and poured drain cleansers down it and also stopped using...

My puppy won't poop outside even if I get her to stop and sniff around. [ 1 Answers ]

About 3 weeks ago I got a beautiful smart little pit bull puppy. She is about 9 to 10 weeks old and will not poop outside. She will actually hold it until she gets inside and go then. What do I do?

Toilet smell in summer and overflow line smell in winter [ 2 Answers ]

In the summer my downstairs toilet smells awful, like sewer, and in the winter the overflow lines for my airconditioning and water heater smell like mold. (they are located in garage) Any ideas about what could possibly be happening? Thanks

Why do dogs sniff otherdogs bums? [ 1 Answers ]

hello I'm just asking... why do dogs sniff each others bums? megan x :) :rolleyes: :confused:

Sewer smell when washing clothes and metal smell in water [ 1 Answers ]

We just moved in a Lease to own house and after one month there is now a smell of sewer when washing clothes. The smell in the water has been here since day one and we are in the process of testing the well water. Can anyone help? I think we have a septic tank since we are on well water but the...

View more questions Search