When olfactory neurons respond to odor molecules, they transmit chemical energy into electrical signals, which then trigger a secondary molecular messenger cascade that generates electrical impulses to the brain, signaling that it is smelling something.

• 当嗅觉神经元对气味分子产生应答反应时，它们将化学能转变为电信号，接着，电信号触发继发的分子信使级联反应产生电脉冲将闻到某种气味的信号传至大脑。