Question

The snake smell by:
A.Skin
B.Tongue
C.Scales
D.None of the above

Answer 1

Snakes are the types of reptiles in the animal kingdom. They are the one having a vomeronasal organ on their body. They have their smelling sensory in the nasal chamber which detect the smell strongly.

Complete answer:
Vomeronasal organ, an organ of chemoreception that is part of the olfactory system of amphibians, reptiles, and mammals. The VNO consists of the cell bodies having sensory neurons which have receptors that detect specific non-volatile (liquid) organic compounds which are conveyed to them from the environment. Snakes have nostrils and nasal cavities as the body organs, but they are not used to smell. The VNO is present at the base of the nasal cavity. It is split into two, divided by the nasal septum, with sides possessing an elongated C-shaped, or crescent, lumen. It is composed inside a bony or cartilaginous capsule which opens into the base of the nasal cavity. The tongue is forked shaped which is used to bring minute air particles into contact with the organ, and the snake then perceives and identifies the smell as prey, predator. Unlike mammals, the tongue is not used to taste or aid in swallowing, but simply it is an added accessory smelling organ.
The tongue carries odour particles into the mouth. Some particles attached to the top of the tongue enter the Vomeronasal openings on the roof of the mouth where these particles get attached to the upper part of the tongue and mix with fluids present in the mouth. Some of these particle-laden fluid is pushed into the Vomeronasal openings by hydraulic pressure caused by the tongue’s piston like movements. After these particles reach the organ, some of the chemical compounds they contain bind to receptor molecules, and sensory messages are sent to the brain.

Hence, the correct answer is option (B)

Note: Vomeronasal organ is present and functional in all snakes and lizards, and in many mammals, including cats, dogs, horses, cattle, pigs, and some primates; in humans it is present, but is vestigial and non-functional.