Questions: Question 6 5 pts What would be the difference between damaging the olfactory receptors, versus damaging the olfactory bulbs? Damaging the receptors would impair connections to the thalamus, damaging the olfactory bulbs would not. Damaging the receptors would not affect the olfactory bulb, but damaging the olfactory bulb would impair neurotransmitter release in receptors. Damaging the receptors would impair connections to the amygdala, but damaging the olfactory bulbs would not. Damaging the receptors would impair sensation, whereas damaging the olfactory bulbs would impair smell perception.

The answer is the last one: Damaging the receptors would impair sensation, whereas damaging the olfactory bulbs would impair smell perception.

Explanation for each option:

1. Damaging the receptors would impair connections to the thalamus, damaging the olfactory bulbs would not.
   This option is incorrect because the olfactory system is unique in that it does not relay through the thalamus before reaching the cortex. Instead, olfactory information is directly sent to the olfactory cortex and other brain areas.

2. Damaging the receptors would not affect the olfactory bulb, but damaging the olfactory bulb would impair neurotransmitter release in receptors.
   This option is incorrect because the olfactory receptors are the initial site of odor detection and send signals to the olfactory bulb. Damaging the olfactory bulb would not directly affect neurotransmitter release in the receptors, but it would disrupt the processing of olfactory information.

3. Damaging the receptors would impair connections to the amygdala, but damaging the olfactory bulbs would not.
   This option is incorrect because both the olfactory receptors and the olfactory bulbs are involved in the pathway that eventually connects to the amygdala. Damaging either could potentially affect connections to the amygdala, but the primary role of the receptors is in detecting odors, not in forming connections to the amygdala.

4. Damaging the receptors would impair sensation, whereas damaging the olfactory bulbs would impair smell perception.
   This option is correct. Olfactory receptors are responsible for detecting odor molecules, so damage to them would impair the sensation of smell. The olfactory bulbs are involved in processing and interpreting these signals, so damage to them would impair the perception and interpretation of smells.

In summary, the correct distinction is that damaging the olfactory receptors affects the initial detection of odors (sensation), while damaging the olfactory bulbs affects the processing and perception of those odors.