What are the vomeronasal organs?

vomeronazal organs, also called the Jacobson organs, are specialized fragrance detectors found in many animals and are often found in the mouth. One of their primary functions is to pick up the chemical molecules - called pheromones - that animals use animals to communicate and find potential friends. Many reptiles use their languages ​​to transport fragrances to Jacobson's organ, which is located in the pits inside the mouth, while mammals often have specialized behavior to give there scents. In humans, these authorities stop the development before birth and scientists have not identified the function of adults. These organs work in the olfactory system that mediates fragrances and are chemoreceptors that detect small molecules of certain chemicals in the air. Most animal species with developed vomeronazal organs use them to detect pheromones released by other animals with the species for communication, especially for interaction with potential friends during the reproductive season. Given his bThe licky relationship with the smell is called the Jacobson organ as a supplement to the olfactory sensory organ.

Ludwig Jacobson discovered at the beginning of the 19th century in the embryos of most vertebrates, including humans, the vomeronazal organs develop. During pregnancy, the organs are retreating until they are non -functional at the time of birth. The presence and function of these organs in adults are controversial among scientists, but there is evidence that hormonal changes such as those that occur in pregnancy can cause a limited function. Some scientists combined the increased sensitivity of pregnant women to the fragrances with the activation of their vomeronasal organs.

Some reptiles and amphibians detect molecules with their languages, which onipus to carry the fragrance to Jacobson's organ. They have specially modified vomeRonasal organs placed in their mouths to identify the odor, often the scent of prey. Snakes and lizards moved most of their ruleElky smell of their languages, which can be branched so that the molecules on the surface of the tongue can be cut on both sides of the mouth on two sensory pit. Some adult mammals, such as a deer, use their Jacobson organ to detect pheromones of potential friends during the mating season.

mammals have a wide range of methods that use accessories to transport substances to their olfactory system, which is complemented by their odor nose receptors and does not replace them. Elephants bear the molecules of the scents on their tribes and applied to their vomeRonasal organs. Members of the cat's family have twisted face or ticks that employ to briefly close their nasal passages, suspend their breathing and open their mouths to detect the dulling orally.