Author: Mufti Noor Mohammad Mohibi
The Quran: A Miracle Beyond Time- A Study of Its Miraculous Nature (Part 38)
The Miracle of the Sense of Smell in the Human Body
The sense of smell is one of the great blessings of Allah Almighty that is usually paid less attention to; but it plays a very important and vital role in our lives. Unlike the eye, which needs light to see, the sense of smell does not need light or an intermediary; humans can easily distinguish odors in complete darkness or in bright light.
The importance of the sense of smell in everyday life
The sense of smell actually gives us a wide circle of security; for example, when we are sleeping, we can smell a gas leak in the house, wake up and turn it off before an accident occurs, even if there is no sound or light and direct contact with the source of the smell is not possible.
Structure and Function of the Olfactory System
There are about 100 million nerve cells in the human nose that are specific to the sense of smell, which are mostly concentrated in the upper area of the nose and on a small surface area of about 250 square millimeters. Each of these cells has several cilia (at least seven) that are immersed in a mucous fluid. This fluid contains lipids that react chemically with odor molecules.
When odor molecules come into contact with these cilia, a specific chemical reaction occurs that results in the formation of a unique geometric pattern. For example, the smell of flowers has a key-like shape, while the smell of other aromatic substances may have different shapes, such as rectangles or even some other specific shape.
Transmission of odor messages to the brain and recognition of odors
These geometric patterns are transmitted as nerve signals by the olfactory nerve, which is located in the roof of the nose, to the olfactory center in the brain. Our brain is able to distinguish between more than 10,000 types of odors and not only recognizes odors; it also stores and identifies them in its olfactory memory.
For example, when a smell reaches the olfactory nerve, the brain compares it with the odors stored in memory to say whether it is jasmine or rose or any other type of scent.
The extraordinary sensitivity of olfactory cells
These nerve cells have the ability to detect odors even in very small amounts; such that they can detect an odor at a concentration equal to half a part per million (0.00005 percent).
The importance of the sense of smell in animals
In animals, the sense of smell is even much stronger, for example: dogs have about 100 million olfactory nerve endings, whose sense of smell is millions of times stronger than humans.
A female ant can attract males from a distance of half a mile using chemical secretions.
Bees can detect the smell of flower nectar from a distance of tens of kilometers, mosquitoes can smell human sweat from a distance of sixty kilometers.
If we discuss more concisely, we can say that the sense of smell is one of the most amazing human senses that allows us to better understand the world around us and prevent possible dangers. This sense, along with other senses, has brought humans a complex and intelligent system of receiving and processing information, all of which are signs of the greatness and wisdom of the Creator of the universe.
Allah Almighty says: وَفِيٓ أَنفُسِكُمۡۚ أَفَلَا تُبۡصِرُونَ Translation: “And in yourselves (humans), are clear signs and solid evidence for recognizing Allah and realizing His power). Will you not see?” [Al-Zariyyat: 21]
This verse indicates attention to the miracles within the human body, the knowledge and use of which increases gratitude and reflection on creation.
Continues…
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