Why Do Compounds Smell?

Discussion in 'Chemistry' started by OilIsMastery, Jul 8, 2008.

  1. OilIsMastery Banned Banned

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    The correct answer is none of them are biogenic. The periodic table of elements invented by the abiogenic theorist Mendeleev is a table of abiotic elements which preceded all life in the solar system you moron.
     
    Last edited: Jul 8, 2008
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  3. CharonZ Registered Senior Member

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    Mechanistically something smells because the compounds bind to certain olfactory receptors which then is transduced into a signal. Of course the receptors have evolved to detect certain substances, though one can of course also substances which are not necessarily beneficial or harmful. They just have to have (local) similar structures.
     
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  5. Enmos Valued Senior Member

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    Of course the elements aren't biogenic, I never said they were. You moron..
    The point is that abiotic elements (as in ANY element) make up molecules that ARE biogenic.

    In case you still don't get it, BIOGENIC means ANY compound that is produced by living organisms or biological processes.
    LOOK IT UP.

    Moron..
     
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  7. OilIsMastery Banned Banned

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    No biological organism can survive on carbonaceous meteorites or 100 kilometers deep in the earth's mantle at pressures above 30 kilobar. Moron.
     
  8. Enmos Valued Senior Member

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    I think you are crazy.. where did you get that from ?

    Do you think it's to much to ask to stay on topic now ?
    This thread is NOT ABOUT OIL !
     
  9. Pandaemoni Valued Senior Member

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    Some elements do have odors, like chlorine, and some compounds to not. Bromine has such a strong odor that its root word bromos means "stench."

    The thing is that there are only a limited number of elements, and most of them are not naturally encountered in their pure form. In contrast, the number of compounds is huge,so I think it may just be easier to think of examples of odoriferous compounds as opposed to elements.
     
  10. OilIsMastery Banned Banned

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    See the quote you deliberately ignored posted above and in the appropriate thread.
     
  11. spidergoat pubic diorama Valued Senior Member

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  12. Enmos Valued Senior Member

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    Of course I'm ignoring it, it's OFF TOPIC.
    I suggest you start acting like you are actually interested in an answer to your questions in the OP.
     
  13. Enmos Valued Senior Member

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    lol ok..
     
  14. draqon Banned Banned

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    compounds smell because they excrete chemicals which are recognized by our nose when those chemicals bind to the receptive ends of other chemicals in our nose.

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    olfactory nerve has receptor proteins which recognize the many functional groups of the molecules being smelled.

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  15. Enmos Valued Senior Member

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    He isn't really interested anyway, so don't waste your breath.
    Seems like he just created this thread in an unmoderated section so he can rant about his oil fetish uninterrupted.
     
  16. draqon Banned Banned

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    Enmos...however this thread is categorized under Chemistry section...which means it must lean towards chemical aspect and not psychological.
     
  17. Enmos Valued Senior Member

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    Look at the question. This should obviously be in Biology.. you cannot answer it with Chemistry.
     
  18. draqon Banned Banned

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    because they are not functional groups...and whatever does not have a functional group...cannot bind to the receptor protein.

    All these:

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    have a function group like hydroxyl, carbonyl...etc....
     
  19. Enmos Valued Senior Member

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    What is a functional group ? It is a group that can bind to a receptor.
    The olfactory system evolved to have receptors to which the 'functional groups' can bind.
     
  20. draqon Banned Banned

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    yes.
     
  21. Enmos Valued Senior Member

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    So it's Biology, not Chemistry.
     
  22. draqon Banned Banned

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    its biochemistry.
     
  23. Enmos Valued Senior Member

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    It's Biology. Evolution.. sigh.
    The point is he isn't interested.
    Have you read the thread ?
     

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