Overview

In humans, the perception of odours adds a fourth dimension to life, from the scent of flowers, the aroma of foods, and all the subtle smells in the environment. But how many types of odours can we distinguish? Why do we like the food we like? Which are the most powerful odorants, and how well does the human sense of smell perform compared with that of a dog or a butterfly? The sense of smell is highly complex, and such complexity discouraged scientists for a long time, leaving the world of smell in an atmosphere of mystery. Only recently, thanks to the new tools furnished by molecular biology and neuroscience, are we beginning to answer these questions, uncovering the hidden secrets of our sense of smell, and decoding the language used by most animals to communicate. In this book, Paolo Pelosi, one of the leading figures in the development of the science of olfaction, recounts how the chemical alphabet behind smell has been pieced together over the past three decades. Drawing on anecdotes from his own scientific career, and celebrating the rich variety of smells from herbs to flowers to roast coffee and freshly baked bread, he weaves together an engaging and remarkable account of the science behind the most elusive of our senses.

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9780198719052

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Reviews

This is fascinating science and one that will intrigue different levels of readersgeneral, scientists, or practitioners. The language of the book is intended for the general reader; Pelosi effectively communicates the science to those with minimal background in chemistry or biology, even when the subject includes a few chemical names or drawings of molecules. a fascinating exploration at the interface between science and a particular form of qualia. Network Review

Leaving no stone unturned, Pelosi provides an overview as broad as it is deep, covering the history of the science of olfaction and also how the sense of smell works in diverse organisms from worms to insects to rodents to birds to humans. [...] The author does an excellent job of showcasing how our knowledge of the sense of smell has been gained through research across vastly different scientific disciplines, from chemistry to molecular biology and genetics to neuroscience and ecology. * William B. Walker III, The Quarterly Review of Biology * This is fascinating science and one that will intrigue different levels of readersgeneral, scientists, or practitioners. The language of the book is intended for the general reader; Pelosi effectively communicates the science to those with minimal background in chemistry or biology, even when the subject includes a few chemical names or drawings of molecules. * P. W. Baures, CHOICE * a fascinating exploration at the interface between science and a particular form of qualia. * Network Review *

a fascinating exploration at the interface between science and a particular form of qualia. Network Review

Author Information

Paolo Pelosi is currently Visiting Professor at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) in Beijing, China. His research work has been dedicated to the study of olfaction and includes the use of organic conducting polymers as sensors for an electronic nose, in a study performed in collaboration with Krishna Persaud at the University of Manchester, UK. He has authored around 150 scientific publications and several book chapters.

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