Humanities Homework Help

Background

One of the most puzzling symptoms of COVID-19 is loss of the sense of smell. In fact, this loss is now considered a more reliable predictor of coronavirus infection than fever or cough. Ironically, its critical status in detecting COVID-19 infections is changing how the sense of smell (olfaction) is viewed by the scientific community. At one time relegated to “also ran” status compared to vison and audition, olfaction has seen renewedfocus in its research and study. Many scientists had previously concluded that human olfaction (along with gustation) was unworthy of the kind of research attention afforded to its other, “higher order” sensory cousins – largely because humans seemed to be so bad at it compared to other species. Understanding its role in COVID-19 has put a spotlight on what we already know (and don’t know…) about this sense. And what we already know is pretty amazing.

The purpose of this exercise is to provide you with some background information on the human sense of smell and explore the role it has played in the coronavirus pandemic. The source is an excellent article in the New York Times by Brooke Jarvis from this past January. First read the article and then answer the questions posed below.

Questions

1. (1 point) Provide a reason that has led people to describe olfaction as the “most neglected sense.”

2. (1 point) What we describe as the taste of a certain food is really the combined result of three sensory experiences. What are they?

3. (2 points) Olfactory sensory neurons are the only neurons directly exposed to the outside world. From what you have learned in class and the text, how do other sensory neurons receive external stimuli. Give one example.

4. (2 points) Briefly summarize the “sustentacular theory” of how COVID-19 impacts olfaction. What is one possible alternative to this theory researchers are also considering?

5. (2 points) Research the psychological principle of linguistic relativity and write a short definition of what it is. Does research into cultural differences in olfaction mentioned in the article support this principle? Explain why or why not