Trace the effect of essential oil molecules from the olfactory epithelium through the different parts of the brain

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Located in the superior part of the nasal cavity is the olfactory epithelium, specialized tissue that has thousands of receptors. These receptors are the endings of nerve fibers that carry impulses for the sense of smell into the olfactory bulbs. When aroma particles are inhaled, they travel up to the olfactory epithelium and dissolve in nasal mucus, which makes it easier for them to stimulate the receptors. Stimulating the receptors means that the receptors create nerve impulses that then travel along olfactory nerves into the olfactory bulbs.
From the olfactory bulbs, the impulses travel along the olfactory tract. The olfactory tract extends into parts of the brain that identify odors, so a person can put a name to them, and to parts of the brain that distinguish different odors, so a person can sort them out. This tract extends into the part of the brain where conscious awareness of smell begins as well as into the limbic system and hypothalamus. It is this connection to the limbic system and hypothalamus that accounts for emotional and memory-based responses to aromas.