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16%OFFPaolo Pelosi - On the Scent: A journey through the science of smell - 9780198719052 - V9780198719052
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On the Scent: A journey through the science of smell

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Description for On the Scent: A journey through the science of smell Hardcover. Smell is arguably the most evocative of senses, linked to memories and associations. For most animals it is vital for survival. For us, it enriches our experience of the world, our pleasure in food and drink, and affects all human interaction. Paolo Pelosi describes how scientists are finally unravelling the science of smell. Num Pages: 256 pages, 28 black and white halftones. BIC Classification: PDZ; PSX. Category: (G) General (US: Trade). Dimension: 216 x 138. .
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.

Product Details

Publisher
Oxford University Press
Format
Hardback
Publication date
2016
Condition
New
Number of Pages
288
Place of Publication
Oxford, United Kingdom
ISBN
9780198719052
SKU
V9780198719052
Shipping Time
Usually ships in 4 to 8 working days
Ref
99-2

About Paolo Pelosi
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.

Reviews for On the Scent: A journey through the science of smell
a fascinating exploration at the interface between science and a particular form of qualia.
Network Review
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
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

Goodreads reviews for On the Scent: A journey through the science of smell


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