Genetics and Environment Combine to Give Everyone a Unique Sense of Smell

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Title: Genetics and Environment Combine to Give Everyone a Unique Sense of Smell
Link: http://neurosciencenews.com/genetics-environment-smell-6504/

Summary: 
A recent study from the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute has shown that smell receptors can be different in genetically identical mice depending on the environment that they develop in. This research suggests that every individual has a different sense of smell. The sense of smell originates in the olfactory organ of the nose and has about one thousand types of receptors making it the most complex sense compared to sight and taste. It is known that we can experience many different types of odors, but what is unknown is the variation between peoples smelling abilities. The mice study showed that the environment that the individual had lived in has a remarkable effect on the number of cells that the individual was able to identify. New findings conclude that the molecular and cellular construction of the olfactory tissue is not developed only based on the genetic make-up of the organism, but also the environment and life history. In regards to adaptation to the environment, olfactory cells are more capable of detecting scents that are familiar due to greater exposure.
Reflection:
I have always heard that our memory of smell is our most powerful, which is what interested me in this article. It makes sense that our sense of smell uses far more cell receptors than our other senses. This leads me to believe that it is most likely this fact that creates such powerful memories of scent. It is also interesting to discover that it is not only our genetic makeup that contributes to our individual sense of smell. People from different environments experience smells differently. I wonder if moving from country to country can allow people to gain a more complex sense of smell. I am interested to learn more about the time-line of our development of smell and how late into life new smell receptors can be developed. 

Comments

  1. Katie GerrityApril 28, 2017 at 2:57 PM

    After reading this summary, I am left wondering exactly how a different environment leads to differences in how people experience smells. What is it about an environment that would cause someone to be able to identify (or not identify) a certain number of cells? I would also be interested in learning how the brain has the ability to differentiate between different smells and make sense of the constantly changing scents in a given environment.

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  2. UnknownMay 1, 2017 at 5:37 PM

    I think environment more than genetics effects people's differences in experiencing smells. People who live in very polluted city environments, may not be as bothered by the smell than people who live in more open spaces. I am interested in how genetics would contribute or control someone's sense of smell. So I do agree on your concept of changing of environment would contribute to your difference in experiencing smells. I think smells are adaptable so even if you moved from country to country. A smell that was once disgusting to a person, might eventually turn into something that is considered normal, or the smell is no longer so vulgar.

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