Insects Depend on Detecting Different Types of Odor (IMAGE)

Arizona State University

Insects Depend on Detecting Different Types of Odor

Caption

Odor plumes (monitored with TiCl4 smoke) break up into thin filaments. Odor filaments from different odor sources (green and magenta) intermingle. The area chart shows the fluctuations of odor concentrations that would be encountered by an insect flying along the black line. Insects detect the odors in the filaments through thousands of odorant receptors on their antennae, which is the functional analog to our nose.

Credit

Brian Smith, et. al.

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