pheromones
are hair cells in the cochlea ever replaced
Natural gas is mainly methane with traces of mercaptan odorants deliberately added.
dissolved odorants bind to the receptors in the cilium membranes.
A human nose can smell a trillion different smells. There are even more than 10,000 odorants that a person can differentiate also.
No, the smell in gas is due to an added odorant like mercaptan for safety reasons so that gas leaks can be detected. After combustion, these odorants are consumed, so the smell is no longer present in the exhaust gases.
Mucus production in the olfactory epithelium helps to dissolve odorants and deliver them to the olfactory receptors for detection. It also helps to protect the delicate olfactory neurons from damage and maintains the appropriate microenvironment for the receptors to function effectively.
A smell impulse begins in olfactory receptor cells located in the olfactory epithelium in the nasal cavity. These receptor cells detect specific odorants and send signals to the brain via the olfactory nerve.
Mercaptans, also known as thiols, are organic compounds containing a sulfur atom. They have a strong and often unpleasant odor, resembling that of rotten eggs. Mercaptans are commonly used as odorants in natural gas and propane to help detect gas leaks.
Odorants bind to specific sites on the olfactory receptors, which are located on the cilia of olfactory sensory neurons in the nasal epithelium. Each olfactory receptor protein has a unique binding site that interacts with certain molecular features of the odorant, triggering a signal transduction pathway. This binding activates the receptor, leading to the generation of neural signals that are sent to the brain for odor perception.
Propane itself is a single compound, but the gas inside a consumer propane tank is a mixture of propane and an oderant (smelly compound) such as ethanethiol or thiophene so you can smell when there's a leak or the gas has been left on.
The rotten egg smell in gas is likely due to the presence of hydrogen sulfide gas. This can be caused by the breakdown of organic matter in the gas system. To address this issue, the gas system should be inspected for leaks and any faulty components should be repaired or replaced. Additionally, adding odorants to the gas can help detect leaks and prevent the smell from occurring.
Olfactory agnosia is a condition characterized by an inability to recognize or identify smells despite having a normal sense of smell. This can be caused by damage to the brain's olfactory system, such as from a head injury or neurological disorder. Individuals with olfactory agnosia may struggle to identify common odors like food or flowers.