Biological Olfaction - The Electronic Nose Artificial Olfaction Technology - page 68

response information is forwarded to the olfactory cortex (detection). Odor rec-
ognition part takes place namely in the olfactory cortex. Then the information is
transmitted to the cerebral cortex. Remind that there are no individual receptors or
parts of the brain capable to recognize specific odors. The brain is key component
for the collection of olfactory signals associated with the specific odor [ 4 ].
Cleansing finishes the olfaction process. For this purpose the breathing fresh air
removing of odorant molecules from the olfactory receptors is required. To grasp
the mechanism of olfactory perception the model of our nose can be considered.

3.3 Human Olfaction System

The knowledge of the mammalian olfactory system is deficient, but researchers are
making enormous progress by conducting experiments in molecular biology.
Odors are our perceptions of mixtures of volatile organic compounds (VOC).
These mixtures are carried in by inhaled air to the olfactory region in the nasal
cavities. Information that is used constantly in daily life—about food, dangerous
substances, and potential mates are provided by smell. VOCs, which are either
produced endogenously during metabolism are inhaled with the breathed ambient
air and consequently modified during a toxic kinetic process in the body.
Figure 3.2 show correlations between particular diseases, albeit accompanied in
most cases [ 16 ].

Fig. 3.2 Toxicokinetics of exogenous volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the human body [ 16 ]