In a lock and key analogy for canine detection of smell, the lock is represented by the ____ and the key is represented by the ____.
A) receptor, chemical
B) chemical, receptor
C) ORC, turbinate
D) turbinate, ORC

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In the lock and key analogy for canine detection of smell, the "lock" represents the receptor on the olfactory cells, which specifically binds to the "key," the chemical molecules in the air that the dog is detecting. This analogy illustrates the specificity of olfactory receptors to certain molecules, similar to how a lock will only open with the correct key.

In a Lock and Key Analogy for Canine Detection of Smell