does sniffing aid the smell sensation due to the difficult passageway molecules traverse?

Question

its for a studyguide that i have to do for a test coming up 

Answer 1

It definitely could could! Have you ever noticed if you are sick and congested, that you have trouble smelling? This is because excess mucus in your nasal cavity is decreasing the ability for the olfactory molecules to reach your olfactory receptors embedded in your nasal mucosa. 'Sniffing' essentially moves the mucus around in your nasal cavity, potentially increasing the contact of the olfactory particles and those olfactory receptors. This would be the same as 'difficult passageway molecules traverse' whereby larger molecules embedded in mucus would traverse and move out of the way, allowing you to smell better again.