Geruch

Geruch is the German noun for smell or odor. In everyday usage it can refer to any odor, but Duft is commonly reserved for pleasant scents such as perfumes or fragrances, while Geruch often carries a neutral or negative connotation. In science, medicine and industry, Geruch denotes the sense of smell as well as the perception of volatile compounds.

Physiology: The sense of smell begins when odorant molecules reach the nasal cavity and bind to receptors on olfactory receptor neurons in the olfactory epithelium. These signals are relayed to the olfactory bulb and then to higher brain regions, including the olfactory cortex and parts of the limbic system. The brain integrates odor information with memory and emotion, and with taste to form flavor.

Perception and variation: Odor perception depends on concentration, adaptation, and individual factors such as genetics, age and health. Some people experience anosmia (loss of smell) or hyposmia (reduced smell); congenital or acquired forms exist. Cultural background and experience shape odor naming and preference.

Applications and context: Smell testing uses olfactometry and threshold measurements in medicine and food safety. The sense is important in quality control, fragrance design, and environmental monitoring. A careful distinction is made between neutral Geruch and more specific descriptors for chemical analysis.