Daniel and Kelly’s Extraordinary Universe The science of taste and smell (with Steven Munger)
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Feb 20, 2025 Join Dr. Steven Munger, a Professor and co-director at the University of Virginia's Center for Smell and Taste Disorders, as he unpacks the fascinating world of taste and smell. He delves into phantom smells and the science behind odors, sharing personal stories that highlight the emotional ties to scents. Learn how diseases like Parkinson’s and COVID-19 can alter these senses, and discover the importance of evolving our understanding of flavor profiles. With engaging anecdotes and humor, the discussion brings a delightful twist to sensory experiences!
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Smell Recognition
- Smell receptors recognize odor molecules through a lock-and-key mechanism, similar to vision.
- However, each receptor can recognize multiple molecules, and each molecule can activate multiple receptors, creating a pattern of activation.
Learned Smells
- Smell perception involves a learning aspect, unlike vision, where we are born knowing how to interpret colors.
- We learn to associate patterns of receptor activation with specific smells like pizza or rotting fish.
Individual Smell Perception
- People can perceive the same odor differently due to genetic variations in odor receptors.
- Cilantro preference is a classic example, with some perceiving it as soapy and others as grassy.