Cat's noses are capable of amazing things, and that's why scientists have decided to research them.
Scientists have uncovered the secret behind cats' impressive ability to smell things, whether it's food, friends, or foes.
The credit goes to a complex system of tightly coiled bony airway structures in their noses, as revealed by the first detailed analysis of a domestic cat's nasal airway.
How it was tested
Scientists used a special 3D computer model to simulate the flow of air with popular cat food odors through the structures of a cat's nose.
They observed that the air separates into two streams – one undergoes cleansing and humidification, while the other just swiftly delivers the odor to the specific olfactory region responsible for smelling.
Therefore, the cat's nose works similarly to a highly efficient and dual-purposed tiny gas chromatograph, a tool commonly employed in laboratories for detecting and also separating chemicals.
The specialists claim that the unique nasal structure of cats has the potential to inspire advancements in contemporary gas chromatographs.
Unlike other species, such as those with long alligator noses that imitate gas chromatography, the evolutionary change driven by the compact cat head has resulted in a complex airway structure.
This adaptation proves beneficial for cats, allowing them to navigate and thrive in various environments.
Why it's important
The findings shed light on the complexity and efficiency of the cat's olfactory system, which is crucial for prey detection, identifying danger, and navigating their environment.
