Sense of Smell vs Pheromones

      Before I begin my topic of discussion I would like to state that the above clip would pertain to olfaction because he is using a cologne which involves olfactory receptors. And well I figured I would start you guys off with a laugh. 

     While reading this weeks assigned literature I was most intrigued by the section dedicated to pheromones. They are define by our text as chemicals released by an animal that affect the behavior of other members of same species. Examples that we are provided with included female dogs when they are fertile and women with regard to menstrual cycles. However, it is hard to think about pheromones and not wonder about the science of smell. While searching for clips on pheromones I came across what seemed a contradictory study in point of view. You can decide for yourselves after watching it.

 

       Now I am under the impression that pheromones can not be sensed with our olfactory receptors. Pheromones have their own set of receptors located in the vomeronasal organ (VNO). Our text wasn't very clear on how our body detects them. Now it is important to state that pheromones are not something that we can smell; pheromones affect us unconsciously and involuntarily. They are mostly used, in regards to humans, for sexual purposes. The above clip on a pheromone spray sold in adult novelty stores sways consumers to purchase their product because, it will make them irresistible to the opposite sex. As we saw in this instance it didn't work. The link above describes a study where a specific pheromone androstenone was tested for smell by a group of males and females. Reseachers first learned of pheromones through insects. We now know that plants also release pheromones to attract insect to help with pollination. With this link you can find some interesting differences between human and plant pheromones.

     With regard to olfaction we forget how important it is to species other than our own. I learned through a twitter feed an interesting fact about ants and how they have created graveyards which are kept occupied because of their sense of smell. Ants are able to detect oleic acid which is emitted when an ant dies. Upon smelling this the ants will move the body to a graveyard they have created to prevent their species from being infected by the bacteria that comes with decomposition. 

    It amazes me all that we don't know about the world around us, and how much we take for granted. Next time you use your nose or are strangely attracted to someone think about what your life would be without your sense of smell or without your vomeronasal organ. Sometimes having a sense of either one could mean your life.