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Grades K–2 · Organisms

Why can a smell become less noticeable after a while?

A room may have a smell that stands out when you first enter. After you have been there a while, you may notice it less. The smell does not have to disappear for this to happen.

Z005 visual explanationNoticeability can change while odor remains; At first; Later; same symbolic odor supply; different response; Illustrative response bars; a smell’s strength does not establish safe air.Noticeability can change while odor remainsAt firstLatersame symbolic odor supply; different responseIllustrative response bars; a smell’s strength does not establish safe air.

In the diagramNoticeability can change while odor remainsAt firstLatersame symbolic odor supply; different responseIllustrative response bars; a smell’s strength does not establish safe air.

The same symbolic odor supply accompanies a stronger initial response and a quieter later response. The bars are illustrative, not concentration measurements or a safety indicator.

Your nose and brain do not respond to every repeated message in exactly the same way forever. Responses can change as a smell continues. What you pay attention to also affects how much it stands out.

A new or changed smell may catch your attention again. But how strong a smell feels does not tell you everything about the air. Becoming used to a smell and removing the substance are different changes.

About this explanation

Starting knowledge: Know that the nose senses substances in air and sends messages through the nervous system.

Sources

  • Noam Sobel and colleagues, Journal of Neurophysiology — Time Course of Odorant-Induced Activation in the Human Primary Olfactory Cortex
  • National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders — Smell Disorders: How does your sense of smell work?
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