subject: How do humans distinguish the tens of thousands of odors which assault them? [print this page] So it would seem to be the combination of receptors, recognizing different bits of various odor molecules, that enables humans distinguish roses from goats, at least at nose level.3 But how the brain interprets olfactory signals and distinguishes bad smells from sweet ones is still unknown. Dr Buck and other researchers are trying to piece together the path of neural connections from the olfactory receptors to the areas of the brain involved in emotion, memory and other high functions.4
How do humans distinguish the tens of thousands of odors which assault them?
