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 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.
Abraham
Michael H
MH
Department of Chemistry, University College London, 20 Gordon Street, London WC1H 0AJ, UK. m.h.abraham@ucl.ac.uk
Gola
Joëlle M R
JM
Cometto-Muniz
J Enrique
JE
Cain
William S
WS
D000447:Aldehydes / Q000737:chemistry; D000818:Animals; D002264:Carboxylic Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D008956:Models, Chemical; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009812:Odorants; D012684:Sensory Thresholds / Q000502:physiology*; D013552:Swine; D013696:Temperature
D000447:Aldehydes; D002264:Carboxylic Acids