Lab Report : The effects of on olfaction spices

Abstract: Individuals are constantly smelling different

scents but will these spices chosen specifically affect the
nasal cavity. In this project experiments will be conducted
on people's different reaction towards different spices
such as, mint leaves, cinnamon, paprika, pepper, and
cardamom. During this experiment there will be different
reactions from different individuals to show how the
different spices will create different reaction times in
sneezing (increase in sneezing).The experiment will
include 3 trials for each specific spice which will be
observed closely if any of these spices caused any side
effects to the individuals. A total of 5 specific spices and
1 control (no spice) which will include an observation of
all the individuals after all the trials if they feel irritation
to the nose. Six different individuals will sniff each of the
spices for 10 seconds in each of the trials. All data will be
collected and analysed to see which spice affected the
most in the nasal cavity. After conducting the experiment,
the main issue was that many of the individuals werent
having any side effects therefore it was unsure if the
participants were sniffing the spices or the spices werent
causing any irritation. The results of the experiments
indicate that the strongest spice which caused the most
side effects was the Black Pepper which resulted in runny
noses and watery eyes.

Introduction:
Smell is a direct sense in that the neurons in the nose
have contact with the air. In the nasal cavity it contains
thin hair called cilia. The cilia will activate the neurons
which will produce you to smell. The nasal cavity is n
sensitive and any burning sensation may cause a runny
nose, sneezing and nasal congestion. Many individuals
who are more sensitive to certain strong odors can have a
rapid reaction which can be more aggressive than others.
The Olfactory nerve is located in the head and sends
sensory data to the brain that is responsible for the sense
of smell. The Olfactory nerve is the first cranial nerve and
the olfactory receptors are located in the mucosa of the
nasal cavity. The Olfactory receptor cells are bipolar
neurons which contain two process called the dendritic
process and central process. The Dendritic process
projects short cilia which react to the odors in the hair and
activate the olfactory receptors. The Central process
known as the axon discharges to the opposite direction
through the basement membrane.
Cinnamon is known to have anti oxidants that have has
anti-inflammatory effects helping to fight infection and
repair tissue damage. Cinnamon can help reduce risk of
heart disease including lower cholesterol,triglycerides,
and blood pressure. Black Pepper is recognized as a
carminative which is a substance that prevents intestinal
gas and promotes sweating and urination. Black pepper
increases hydrochloric acid in the stomach and pepper
provides relief for sinusitis and nasal congestion.

Hypothesis: If individuals smell pepper out of all the the

spices such as mint leaves,cinnamon,cardamom and
paprika, then pepper will cause the individual to sneeze
the most because pepper will cause the most irritation to
the mucus membrane.

Materials:
 1. mobile device for timer
2. Spices:
Mint Leaves
Cinnamon
Paprika
Pepper
Cardamom
Procedure:
1. First, the subject will grab a pinch of a spice and
place it in their palm.
2. Second, the subject will sniff the spice for ten
seconds for the first trial

a. Then a second trial will take place.

b. The third trial will then be conducted to check
for a final reaction.
c. The control with no spice will be timed for a
minute to see if there is any reaction like
sneezing (three trials also).
Data:
Ashley (Senior)
SPICE Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3
Time (sec) Time (sec) Time (secs)
Mint No Effect No (Itchy No Effect
Leaves (Cleared nose)
nose)
Paprika No Effect No Effect No Effect
Cardamo No Effect No Effect No Effect
m (Itchy nose)

Cinnamon No Effect No Effect watery eyes

(no
sneezing)
Black Yes sneezed: Runny watery eyes
Pepper (7) nose (no
sneezing)
CONTRO No Effect No Effect No Effect
L (No
Spice)
Sabrina (senior)
SPICE Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3
Time (sec) Time (sec) Time
(secs)
Mint No Effect No Effect No Effect
Leaves
Paprika No Effect No Effect No Effect
Cardamo No Effect No Effect No Effect
m
Cinnamo No Effect No Effect Yes Effect
n
Black No Effect Yes Effect Yes Effect
Pepper
CONTRO No Effect No Effect No Effect
L (No
Spice)
Kassandra (Junior)
SPICES Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3
Mint No Effect No Effect No Effect
Leaves
Paprika No Effect No Effect No Effect
Cardamo No Effect Yes Effect No Effect
m
Cinnamo No Effect No Effect No Effect
n
Black No Effect Yes Effect No Effect
Pepper
CONTRO No Effect No Effect No Effect
L (No
Spice)
Jasmine (Junior)
SPICE Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3
Time (sec) Time (sec) Time
(secs)
Mint No Effect No Effect No Effect
Leaves
Paprika No Effect No Effect No Effect
Cardamo No Effect No Effect No Effect
m
Cinnamo No Effect No Effect No Effect
n
Black Yes Effect Yes Effect Yes Effect
Pepper
CONTRO No Effect No Effect No Effect
L (No
Spice)
Joshua (Senior)
SPICE Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3
Time (sec) Time (sec) Time
(secs)
Mint No Effect No Effect No Effect
Leaves
Paprika No Effect No Effect No Effect
Cardamo No Effect Light No Effect
m headed
Cinnamo Yes Yes No Effect
n sneezed: sneezed:
(1) (1)
Black Runny No Effect No Effect
Pepper nose
CONTRO No Effect No Effect No Effect
L (No
Spice)

Maimi (Senior)
SPICE Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3
Time (sec) Time (sec) Time
(secs)
Mint No Effect No Effect Sniffles no
Leaves sneezing
Paprika No Effect No Effect No Effect
Cardamo Yes Yes Effect No Effect
m sneezed:
(3)
Cinnamo No Effect No Effect No Effect
n
Black No Effect No Effect No Effect
Pepper
 CONTRO No Effect No Effect No Effect
L (No
Spice)

Number of times with no sneeze reactions

Spice Trial Trial Trial Avera Ave.%
1 2 3 ge of
sneezi
ng
Mint 6 100 6 100 6 100 6 100%
Leaves % % %
Paprika 6 100 6 100 6 100 6 100%
% % %
Carda 5 83% 4 67% 6 100 5 83%
mom %
Cinna 5 83% 5 83% 5 83% 5 83%
mon
Black 4 67% 3 50% 4 67% 3.6 61%
Pepper
Control 6 100 6 100 6 100 6 100%
(No % % %
Spice)

Number of times with a sneeze reaction

Spice Tria Trial Trial Avera Ave.% of
l1 2 3 ge sneezing
Mint 0 0 0 0 0 0% 0 0%
Leaves % %
Paprika 0 0 0 0 0 0% 0 0%
% %
Cardam 1 16 2 33 0 0% 1 16%
om % %
Cinnam 1 16 1 16 1 16 0.8 16%
on % % %
Black 2 33 3 50 2 33 1.2 38.9%
Pepper % % %
Control 0 0 0 0 0 0% 0 0%
(No % %
Spice)
Variables: x the spice and y the reaction

This experiment looked at how people react differently

and compare the average from the three trials.
Analysis:
After, doing this experiment the observations showed that
no one was affected by smelling mint leaves and paprika.
The reactions came from cinnamon, cardamom, and black
pepper. The hypothesis of obtaining more reaction from
the black pepper was proven correct.Many individuals
also experienced a runny nose, watery eyes, and of course
sneezes. Other side effects were dizziness and nausea. In
the sneezing reaction data table Black pepper had the
highest percentage of 39.9% therefore the overall average
indicates that Black Pepper was proven to cause the most
sneezing reaction compared to the other spices. As well,
in the sneezing reaction data Cardamon and Cinnamon
resulted with the corresponding average of 16%. An error
that can be found in the experiment is the order in which
the spices were tested. There was no precise order in
which the subjects smelled the spices. This could have
mixed the different smells and might have caused some
people to sneeze and others not to sneeze. Also, one spice
was not in powder form. The mint was fresh leaves. This
could have affected the results since while inhaling there
was not a chance of powder going into the nose thus
potentially causing sneezing.
Conclusion:
Overall, the hypothesis was accurate which stated that
the Black Pepper caused the most irritation to the nose
from the other spices. As shown from the data and graphs
Black Pepper irritated the nose causing sneezing, a runny
nose, and watery eyes. Many different individuals were
witnessing different side effects throughout the course of
the experiment some were feeling light headed while
others resulted with no side effects. Overall black pepper
affected people the most, then cardamom and cinnamon
finally both mint and paprika showed no effect.

Bibliography:
http://teachmeanatomy.info/head/cranial-nerves/olfactory-
cni/
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/861242-overview
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice
&dbid=74#healthbenefits
http://www.rightdiagnosis.com/organ/olfactory_nerve.ht
m
https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/herbs-and-sp
ices/health-benefits-of-black-pepper.htm