How do we smell? - Rose Eveleth
1,690,777 Views
33,403 Questions Answered
TEDEd Animation
Let’s Begin…
An adult human can distinguish up to 10,000
odors. You use your nose to figure out what to eat, what to buy and even when it’s
time to take a shower. But how do the molecules in the air get translated into smells in
your brain? Rose Eveleth charts the smelly journey through your olfactory epithelium and explains why scent can be so subjective.
Scientists don't know why, but what do you think is a possible reason our olfactory epithelium is pigmented?
Sign in to answer questionAbout TED-Ed Animations
TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »
Meet The Creators
- Educator Rose Eveleth
- Director Igor Coric
- Narrator Rose Eveleth
