In the study of sensory perception, our senses work together to help us interact with the world around us. While vision and hearing are often the most discussed, other senses play pivotal roles as well. One of these senses is the olfactory system, which is responsible for our sense of smell. The olfactory receptors in the nasal cavity detect airborne chemical substances, leading to our experience of various scents. Which of the following options describes the primary function of the olfactory sense?