title: Differential sensitivity for smell: "noise" at the nose.
abstract: The ability of subjects to resolve differences in concentration of chemicals in the vapor phase by smell rivaled the optimum performance of chromatographs. In some instances, subjects resolved a difference in concentration of only 5 percent. The reported inability of olfaction to register fine differences in intensity seems to be largely a result of fluctuations in the stimulus.
mesh_terms: D000438:Alcohols; D002087:Butyrates; D004192:Discrimination, Psychological / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D009831:Olfactory Mucosa / Q000502:physiology; D012903:Smell
chemical_list: D000438:Alcohols; D002087:Butyrates