Smell or olfaction is the other "chemical" sense. Unlike taste, there are hundreds of olfactory receptors (388 according to one source), each binding to a particular molecular feature. Odor molecules possess a variety of features and thus excite specific receptors more or less strongly. This combination of excitatory signals from different receptors makes up what we perceive as the molecule's smell. In the brain, olfaction is processed by the olfactory system. Olfactory receptor neurons in the nose differ from most other neurons in that they die and regenerate on a regular basis. The inability to smell is called anosmia. Some neurons in the nose are specialized to detect pheromones.
ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN:
- VOCABULARY
smell, nose, pleasant, unpleasant, perfume, colony, food, plants, trees, spice, air freshener
- ACTIVITIES
Language: What do we use to smell with? Talk about the nose and the job it performs. You may also wish to introduce the noses of animals and how they use their noses to find food.
Puffs of Smell
Place cotton balls in several paper cups. Drop a different smelling liquid in each cup -- vanilla, orange, peppermint and lemon extracts (or other substances safe to smell). Let children smell and identify. Activity can be extended by having children identify the lunch menu from the smells coming from the kitchen. (speaking)
Place cotton balls in several paper cups. Drop a different smelling liquid in each cup -- vanilla, orange, peppermint and lemon extracts (or other substances safe to smell). Let children smell and identify. Activity can be extended by having children identify the lunch menu from the smells coming from the kitchen. (speaking)
Outside: Take a walk outside and smell wild flowers! With a note book, and ask them to find the name of the flowers in English. (writing)
