Olfaction relies on chemoreceptors in the nose to detect chemicals. Which sense is this?

• A. Olfaction
• B. Gustation
• C. Vision
• D. Audition

Answer: (A)

The sense in question is the sense of smell. Olfaction uses chemoreceptors in the nasal cavity to detect volatile chemical molecules in the air. When these odor molecules bind to receptors on the olfactory neurons, signals are sent to the brain, allowing us to perceive scents. In contrast, gustation involves taste buds detecting dissolved chemicals on the tongue, vision relies on photoreceptors in the retina, and audition depends on hair cells in the inner ear responding to sound vibrations. Since the detection mechanism described is chemical detection by receptors in the nose, olfaction is the correct answer.