A Model for Odour Thresholds

Odour detection thresholds, that we have previously obtained, have been analysed by a general equation for selective transport. It is shown that such selective transport can account for some 77% of the total effect. The remainder is due to a specific size effect, that might involve odour-binding pro...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Chemical senses 2002-02, Vol.27 (2), p.95-104
Main Authors: Abraham, Michael H., Gola, Joëlle M.R., Cometto-Muniz, J. Enrique, Cain, William S.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aldehydes - chemistry
Animals
Biological and medical sciences
carboxylic acids
Carboxylic Acids - chemistry
Models, Chemical
Models, Theoretical
Odorants
Sensory Thresholds - physiology
Swine
Temperature
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Summary:Odour detection thresholds, that we have previously obtained, have been analysed by a general equation for selective transport. It is shown that such selective transport can account for some 77% of the total effect. The remainder is due to a specific size effect, that might involve odour-binding proteins, and a specific effect for aldehydes and carboxylic acids. Our analysis raises the question of whether selective transport is physically separable from the specific effects of receptor activation. The model predicts a chemical cut-off in odour detection along any homologous series.
ISSN:0379-864X
1464-3553
1464-3553
DOI:10.1093/chemse/27.2.95