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The Conversation
The Conversation
Science
John Crimaldi, Professor of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder

From odor to action – how smells are processed in the brain and influence behavior

The compact olfactory system provides a more accessible way to study the brain as a whole. Esther Kok/EyeEm via Getty Images

A dog raises its nose in the air before chasing after a scent. A mosquito zigzags back and forth before it lands on your arm for its next meal. What these behaviors have in common is that they help these animals “see” their world through their noses.

While humans primarily use their vision to navigate their environment, the vast majority of organisms on Earth communicate and experience the world through olfaction – their sense of smell.

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