The part of the brain that receives sensory impulses of smell is the

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks which part of the brain receives sensory impulses from the nose, that is, the sense of smell (olfaction).

Step 2: Explain the concept Smell works like this:

1. Chemicals in the air dissolve in the mucus lining the nasal cavity.
2. Olfactory receptor cells in the nasal epithelium detect them and generate impulses.
3. The impulses travel along the olfactory nerve (cranial nerve I) to the olfactory bulb/lobe.
4. From there they pass on to the olfactory areas of the cerebral cortex for interpretation.

At the secondary school level, the olfactory lobe is the part of the brain that receives these impulses directly.

Step 3: Check each option

• A. Olfactory lobe: It receives impulses directly from the olfactory nerve. This is correct.
• B. Medulla oblongata: It controls involuntary actions such as breathing, heart rate, and swallowing. It is not involved in smell.
• C. Cerebrum: It handles thinking, memory, and conscious sensation. Smell is interpreted here in the end, but the cerebrum is not the first receiving region. The question asks for the part that receives the smell impulses, which is the olfactory lobe.
• D. Cerebellum: It controls balance, posture, and coordination of movement. It has nothing to do with smell.

Step 4: Answer The correct option is A. olfactory lobe.

Exam tip: Match the name to the sense. "Olfactory" always means smell, so if you see it in the options for a smell question, it is usually the answer. Also remember these pairings:

• Cerebellum → balance and coordination
• Medulla oblongata → involuntary actions
• Cerebrum → thinking and memory
• Hypothalamus → body temperature