• Clinicallydepressedpoochie@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    1
    ·
    edit-2
    2 days ago

    Ok, if it’s just particles how does it distinguish the particles on a molecular level. This is important shit. The closest science can do is gas chromatography and that’s an instrument which exists in any reputable lab. Also, using gas chromatography for this a far cry from the simple function of our sense of smell which can distinguish scents just by simply introducing a fragrence.

    • Redfox8
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      2
      ·
      2 days ago

      I believe the receptor cell responds to a particular part of the molecule in question. Artificial flavourings and scents have identical (or similar enough) parts to trigger the same response, but are otherwise different molecules.

    • el_abuelo@programming.dev
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      2
      ·
      2 days ago

      Maybe I’m misreading your tone, but I’m not trying to argue with you - I’m genuinely curious about this and if you have superior knowledge I’m open!

      My understanding from a quick skim of Wikipedia citations suggests we understand what’s involved (particles and receptors) but the actual mechanism around encoding of signals seems to be theory.

      We also can’t teach a computer to think, but we still have quite a good idea of how it works.