Biology / Unit 12 Bio 2889 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Olfaction: Receptor Diversity and Odor Coding
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The idea
Olfactory receptors, each responding to specific odorant molecules, combine in overlapping patterns so a limited set of receptor types can encode thousands of distinct smells.
In practice
Coffee and chocolate activate overlapping but distinct receptor combinations, so each smells recognizably different despite shared receptor types.
Where people slip
Olfactory signals reach the cortex directly, unlike nearly every other sense, which is routed through the thalamus first.
Your place on the trail
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