BPoD has moved!

BPoD has recently changed our domain name - we can now be found at bpod.org.uk

Please update your bookmarks!

Now in our 13th year of bringing you beautiful imagery from biomedical science every day

Search the archive of over 4000 images

Pong Processor
14 January 2015

Pong Processor

Our sense of smell attracts us to substances we need, such as food, and repels us from rotting or poisonous matter that is hazardous. How molecules entering your nose can affect behaviour is a puzzle that’s slowly being pieced together. In experiments on fruit flies (also known as vinegar flies), scientists found that smell information is processed in part of the brain called the lateral horn, which has three main areas of activity. One area (here false coloured green) deals with attractive odours, another (yellow) repulsive odours and the third (magenta) is thought to be responsible for odour identification. By disrupting nerve impulses in these areas, the flies were tricked into changing behaviour, even avoiding a favourite food, balsamic vinegar. The function of the lateral horn is similar to the amygdala in the human brain – so the study of flies is not to be sniffed at!

Written by Mick Warwicker

Search The Archive

Submit An Image

Follow on Tumblr

Follow on Instagram

What is BPoD?

BPoD stands for Biomedical Picture of the Day. Managed by the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences until Jul 2023, it is now run independently by a dedicated team of scientists and writers. The website aims to engage everyone, young and old, in the wonders of biology, and its influence on medicine. The ever-growing archive of more than 4000 research images documents over a decade of progress. Explore the collection and see what you discover. Images are kindly provided for inclusion on this website through the generosity of scientists across the globe.

Read More

BPoD is also available in Catalan at www.bpod.cat with translations by the University of Valencia.