In the process of olfaction, the molecules that are present in the air dissolve in the nasal mucosa. They bind to the receptors for smell which send impulses to the brain where they are decoded, offering us the information of whether the odour is pleasant or not, which largely depends on the circumstances, experiences and perceptions. The sense of smell plays an important role in nourishment. When suffering from a common cold, our ability to smell is substantially decreased and the food tastes differently as well. People differ in their ability to detect odours. The sense of smell is better developed in some people than in others, while some people are entirely unable to detect certain odours for numerous reasons.
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