What role does the olfactory nerve (CN I) primarily serve?

The olfactory nerve, also known as cranial nerve I, primarily serves the function of smell. It is responsible for transmitting sensory information from the nose to the brain, specifically the olfactory bulbs. When odor molecules bind to receptors in the nasal cavity, the olfactory nerve carries these signals to the central nervous system, allowing individuals to perceive different smells. This nerve is unique because it is directly involved in the sense of smell rather than being part of a larger sensory process like vision, taste, or hearing. Consequently, any other options such as those related to vision, taste, or hearing do not pertain to the olfactory nerve's function, emphasizing its specialized role in olfactory processing.