Bacteria are well known to cause repulsive smells, but scientists discovered that bacteria don't just smell bad, the bacteria have their own "molecular" nose that is able to detect airbourne, smell-producing chemicals like ammonia. While researching, the marine biologists at Newcastle University noticed that bacteria are capable of olfaction(sensing volatile chemical in the air). Bacteria responds to this smell by producing biofilm(or slim). This causes the bacteria to colonize together and cause infections in the heart valves, artificial hips and even breast implants. The most latest discovery is that bacteria have four out of five senses; sight, touch, taste, and smell.
Opinion
This is amazing that scientists were able to find out that bacteria have a sense of smell, along with touch, taste and sight. I wonder had bacteria causes biofilm when they smell airbourne chemicals. I think it's interesting that the bacteria causes disgusting smells for us, but they can smell things we can't smell. Do they have sensitive smells than an average human does? When will the scientists find the nose?
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