Olfactory receptor

Olfactory receptors are specialized proteins located on sensory nerve cells in your nose. They detect airborne molecules — the smells — and trigger electrical signals sent to your brain. These signals help your brain identify and interpret different scents. Each receptor is tuned to specific types of molecules, allowing us to perceive a wide variety of odors. Olfactory receptors are essential for the sense of smell, playing a role in experiences like tasting food, detecting hazards, and triggering memories. In total, humans have hundreds of different olfactory receptors that work together to create our rich sense of smell.