Scientists have discovered how the brain distinguishes odors – Rambler News Service

Scientists from the Institute of the Leibniz Center for Molecular Medicine and Max Delbrika discovered the physiological mechanisms that allow animals to distinguish between a similar odors. The study is published in the journal Nature Communications

The sense of smell plays a key role in everyday life. Odors, for example, warn that food may be spoiled, and pleasant aromas stimulate salivation and digestion. The sense of smell is closely related to the autonomic nervous system, which also controls the emotions.

The goal of the new study was to find out, by what mechanisms might distinguish between a similar flavors. The molecules that are present in inhalable flavors fall on the receptors in the mucosa of the olfactory region. As a result, the cells send signals to the olfactory bulb, where they are processed in the mitral cells and beam, and then sent to other parts of the brain as signals similar to Morse code. Each olfactory cell contains only one kind of receptor molecule specific for a particular smell.

In a laboratory test, the researchers used genetically modified mice that are differentiated only very different odors were not able to distinguish similar in their molecular structure. So, they did not distinguish between lemon and turpentine flavor. These mice appeared inhibitory signals, but they do not affect the overall ability to smell. During the suppression of inhibitory signals, acting on mitral and beam cells, neurons were in great excitement, and Morse Code for different odors violated. Thus, the smells with a similar chemical nature are becoming more similar and, therefore, difficult to distinguish, the researchers note.