The presence of the human Vomeronasal Organ (VNO) and its function
The vomeronasal organ (VNO), also known as Jacobson’s organ, is an auxiliary olfactory sense organ found in many animals. It is also the first stage of their accessory olfaction systems and is the sense organ involved in the Flehman response. In many mammalian species, a portion of the olfactory neuroepithelium is discretely organized into a VNO [1]. Animals use their VNOs to come into contact with chemosensory cues such as pheromones released by other individuals. In mammals, the VNO contains chemosensory receptor cells that bind to pheromones. The binding of pheromones to receptor cells in the VNO provides information about the physiological status of the emitter and facilitates and regulates interactions and behaviors such as sexual behaviors [2].
Rodents have highly developed VNOs but this structure has been shown to be absent in some primate species including humans [1]. Regardless, the presence of human VNO and its function has been the subject of considerable interest in science literature and has caused several speculations. In this paper, I will attempt to address the question of whether the VNO is present in humans and its functional significance involving neural and hormonal regulation. This will be done by discussing the evidences for and against human VNO presence and the possible functions of human VNO as put forward by scientific research. The paper will also discuss the significance of pheromone communication in humans facilitated by the VNO and its effect on their behaviors, especially reproductive behaviors.
In order to answer the questions stated above, this paper will address questions surrounding the presence an...
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Sense: The Vomeronasal Organ "We are all more influenced by smell than we know." (Hercule Poirot) ....Murder in Retrospect, Agatha Christie Biologists have long realized that the noses of most vertebrates actually contain two sensory channels. The first is the familiar olfactory system, which humans possess. The second channel is the vomeronasal complex, a system that has its own separate organs, nerves, and connecting structures in the brain. The function of the vomeronasal system is the
((1), (2), (3), (4)). Although the existence of pheromones in humans and the method by which individuals detect them is still under debate and requires further research, a study by Stern and McClintock on pheromones in women's underarm secretion gives the most solid evidence for the existence of human pheromones ((5)). It has been hypothesized that the brain detects these pheromones through an organ known as the vomeronasal organ (VNO), by receptors, or by the terminal nerve in the nostrils ((5))
Around the world people love. They live for love, they write for love, the sing, eat, cook, die and kill for love (ForumNetwork, 2009). Since the beginning of recorded time, people have wondered why love is such an intense and universal feeling. There is no culture in this planet that does not have love (ForumNetwork, 2009). This essay will only talk about romantic love were sexuality and attraction are involved. Romantic love, is one of the most powerful energies on earth (ForumNetwork, 2009), it