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Dog Smelling
Name: mary
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: N/A
Question:
How do dogs smell?
Replies:
Smelling involves special cells in the nose, nerves to carry the messages
to the brain, and a part of the brain called the olfactory bulb. Special
cells, called olfactory cells, are present in the soft, pink, internal skin
in the nose. These cells can bind with "odor" molecules, which are
chemicals dissolved in the air. At the base of each olfactory cell, is a
tiny nerve which runs to the part of the brain which interprets smells.
Mucous cells, which are also in the inside of the nose, produce mucus.
Mucus helps to dissolve the chemicals so that they can react with the
olfactory cells and then to wash away the chemicals after they have been
"smelled". Animals differ greatly in the types and amount of chemicals
they can detect in the air, but dogs are very good at smelling.
Laura Hungerford
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Update: June 2012
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