Variations in Olfactory Receptors Explained
Why does a friend's perfume cause discomfort to one person but not to another?
A) Differences in the rate of diffusion of perfume molecules
B) Variations in the sensitivity of individual olfactory receptors
C) The effect of air circulation in the environment
D) Variation in the chemical composition of perfumes
Final answer: Discomfort caused by a friend's perfume to one individual and not another is best explained by variations in the sensitivity of individual olfactory receptors, not by differences in the rate of diffusion, air circulation, or composition of perfumes.
Answer:
Discomfort caused by a friend's perfume to one individual and not another is best explained by variations in the sensitivity of individual olfactory receptors, not by differences in the rate of diffusion, air circulation, or composition of perfumes.
Explanation: The situation where a friend's perfume causes discomfort to one person but not to another can be explained primarily by variations in individual olfactory receptor sensitivity. While diffusion and effusion describe the movement of perfume molecules through air, reaching one's nose is not just a simple matter of physical movement.
The olfactory system is highly complex and involves the detection and perception of odor molecules. Humans have approximately 350 different olfactory receptors, which work in tandem to sense a wide array of smells. This variability in receptor types and individual sensitivity can cause the same scent to be perceived differently by different people.
The discomfort experienced is not due to the perfume's diffusion rate, variations in its chemical composition, or air circulation, but rather the personal biological differences in the sensory pathways. The olfactory receptors located in the nasal cavity are responsible for detecting odorants, which are then interpreted by the brain.
Some individuals may have a heightened sensitivity or even an allergic response to certain molecules found in perfume, leading to discomfort. In contrast, another person might have a less acute sense of smell or different receptor patterns, resulting in a less intense perception of the same fragrance.
It's worth noting that factors such as health status, such as having congested nasal passages, can also affect one's sense of smell. However, in the context of the question, individual differences in olfactory receptors are the most likely explanation for this variability in reaction to perfume scents among different individuals.