What is a smell?
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Representation
of an Amine molecule
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A smell is the interpretation by our brain of the reaction between certain molecules and our pituitary.
Our brain interprets as "good" those scents that, throughout our evolution as a species, have been associated with food. For example, flower-fruit-food. We conseider bad those smells historically associated with danger. For example, decay-death.
In general, we tend to ignore those smells that were not relevant to our avolution or or that are present permanently. For example, the gases from the air.
Typically, the human being has a very high sensitivity to the odors associated with toxic products. For example sulfide (rotten eggs), ammonia, fatty acids (fish rotten) etc... |