Hi, students! Welcome back to Basic 2 Basic Science. In our previous lesson, we learned about The Sense Of Touch/Feel – Skin. Today, we’re going to learn about the sense of smell.
Objectives
By the end of this lesson, you should be able to: * Identify and describe the smell of various substances. * Explain how the nose helps us smell things.
Sense of Smell – Nose
The sense of smell is one of our five senses, and it’s important for many reasons. It helps us to enjoy the flavors of food, to detect danger (like smoke or gas), and to recognize familiar people and places.
What is the Nose?
The nose is the main organ of smell. It’s located in the middle of our face, and it has two holes called nostrils. When we breathe in, air enters our nostrils and travels to the back of our nose. There, it passes over a special area called the olfactory epithelium.
The Olfactory Epithelium
The olfactory epithelium is a thin layer of tissue that contains millions of tiny sensory cells called olfactory receptors. These receptors are sensitive to different smells, and they send signals to the brain when they detect them.
How We Smell
When we smell something, molecules from that substance enter our nostrils and dissolve in the mucus that lines our nasal passages. These molecules then bind to the olfactory receptors, triggering a signal that travels to the olfactory bulb in the brain. The olfactory bulb is a part of the brain that processes information about smells.
Different Smells
There are many different smells in the world, and our noses are able to detect a wide range of them. Some smells are pleasant, like the smell of flowers or fresh-baked bread. Others are unpleasant, like the smell of garbage or rotten eggs.
Importance of Smell
Our sense of smell is important for many reasons: * Food: Smell helps us to enjoy the flavors of food. When we eat, molecules from the food travel up to our nose and stimulate our olfactory receptors. This is why food tastes different when we have a cold and can’t smell properly. * Safety: Smell can help us to detect danger. For example, we can smell smoke from a fire or gas leaks. * Social Interaction: Smell can help us to recognize familiar people and places. For example, we might recognize our mother’s perfume or the smell of our favorite bakery.
Evaluation Questions
Now that you’ve learned about the sense of smell, let’s see if you can answer these questions: 1. What part of our body helps us smell things?
- How does the nose help us smell things?
- Why is the sense of smell important?
- Can you name a few things that you can smell? 5. What are some ways that our sense of smell helps us stay safe?
Conclusion
The sense of smell is a fascinating and important part of our lives. It helps us to enjoy food, to detect danger, and to recognize familiar people and places. Remember to always use your sense of smell safely and responsibly. Don’t forget to check the comments section if you have any questions, and use the navigation to move to the next lesson. See you in the next lesson!
