The mystery of smell

A New Yorker article asks why it is that "one molecule

 

         

 

smells of spearmint, while its mirror image

 

         

smells of caraway." You won't find the answer, but it's interesting stuff nonetheless.

Rob says:

Because the molecular geometry reacts differently with different receptors due to its isomer form.

See, I paid attention in biochem.

Comments

[Rob B]

Because the molecular geometry reacts differently with different recptors due to it's isomer form.

See, I paid attention in biochem.