You All Smell

[dk_psy]

How do we smell? Do objects give off waves or particles, which are then recognised by receptors or what?

May sound like a dumb question, but it keeps cropping up in my mind.

[spinchimp]

Objects give off atoms (particles) and yes, receptors in the nose recognise them.

[georgit79]

I smell lovely.

[Clanad]

While spinchamp is generally correct, it's molecules that are reaching an area of the upper nasal cavity filled with olfactory receptor neurons.  This area also contains cilia, small hairlike appendages that increase the total size of the area. Each different smell is recognized by the receptor(s) having an encoded DNA... if a person can't smell a certain substance, it may be due to the fact he/she doesn't have the DNA needed for recognition... (With thanks to How stuff Works)

[dk_psy]

hmmm, interesting, thanks for the posts everyone!