Inside your nose is the olfactory epithelium, which is a fancy word for “smell device.” In the olfactory epithelium are more than 10 million scent receptors. These receptors can distinguish up to 10,000 different smells. Tiny odor molecules pass through the nose. The receptors send messages to the brain about the smells. Your sense of smell can help you understand your world. You know when you’ve burnt the toast and the smell of cut grass alerts you that summer has finally arrived. Your sense of smell also makes food tastes better. Try tasting something while you pinch your nose shut. Doesn’t taste the same, does it?