Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Odor Perception

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Breath Odors

  • 975 Accesses

Abstract

The sense of smell is the least understood of all human senses. The olfaction process is a complex one involving both physiological peripheral sensing and cognitive and emotional central processing. The olfactory receptor neurons are situated in the olfactory epithelium located in the upper portion of the nasal cavity. These cells project cilia into the mucus lining of the nasal cavity, and those are responsible for the first stages of the olfaction process. The binding of an odor molecule to the receptor results in an electrical signal that is transducted through the neuron’s axon to the olfactory bulb, and causes the release of a neurotransmitter (Berkowicz et al. 1994), which activates mitral and tufted cells within the olfactory bulb to carry the information further into the brain. Within the brain, the olfactory system is closely linked to areas of the brain that are involved with emotion (i.e., Amygdala) (Cain and Bindra 1972; Zald and Pardo 1997), memory, and learning (i.e., the hippocampus).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 79.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 99.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Amoore, J.E.: Specific anosmia and the concept of primary odors. Chem. Senses Flavour 2, 267–281 (1977)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Balboni, G.C., Zonefrati, R., Repice, F., Barni, T., Vannelli, G.B.: Immunohistochemical detection of EGF and NGF receptors in human olfactory epithelium. Boll. Soc. Ital. Biol. Sper. 67(10–11), 901–906 (1991)

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Berglund, B.: Quantitative and qualitative analysis of industrial odors with human observers. Ann. NY Acad. Sci. 237, 35–51 (1974)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Berkowicz, D.A., Trombley, P.Q., Shepherd, G.M.: Evidence for glutamate as the olfactory receptor cell neurotransmitter. J. Neurophysiol. 71(6), 2557–2561 (1994)

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cain, W.S.: Differential sensitivity for smell: “noise” at the nose. Science 195(4280), 796–798 (1977)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cain, D.P., Bindra, D.: Responses of amygdala single units to odors in the rat. Exp. Neurol. 35(1), 98–110 (1972)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Canli, T., Desmond, J.E., Zhao, Z., Gabrieli, J.D.: Sex differences in the neural basis of emotional memories. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 99(16), 10789–10794 (2002)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Capelli, L., Sironi, S., Del Rosso, R., Centola, P., Bonati, S.: Improvement of olfactometric measurement accuracy and repeatability by optimization of panel selection procedures. Water Sci. Technol. 61(5), 1267–1278 (2010)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dalton, P., Wysocki, C.J.: The nature and duration of adaptation following long-term odor exposure. Percept. Psychophys. 58(5), 781–792 (1996)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dalton, P., Wysocki, C.J., Brody, M.J., Lawley, H.J.: The influence of cognitive bias on the perceived odor, irritation and health symptoms from chemical exposure. Int. Arch. Occup. Environ. Health 69(6), 407–417 (1997)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dorries, K.M., Schmidt, H.J., Beauchamp, G.K., Wysocki, C.J.: Changes in sensitivity to the odor of androstenone during adolescence. Dev. Psychobiol. 22(5), 423–435 (1989)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Doty, R.L., Cameron, E.L.: Sex differences and reproductive hormone influences on human odor perception. Physiol. Behav. 97(2), 213–228 (2009)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Doty, R.L., Riklan, M., Deems, D.A., Reynolds, C., Stellar, S.: The olfactory and cognitive deficits of Parkinson’s disease: evidence for independence. Ann. Neurol. 25(2), 166–171 (1989)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Doty, R.L., Perl, D.P., Steele, J.C., Chen, K.M., Pierce Jr., J.D., Reyes, P., Kurland, L.T.: Olfactory dysfunction in three neurodegenerative diseases. Geriatrics 46(Suppl 1), 47–51 (1991)

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Duchamp-Viret, P., Coronas, V., Delaleu, J.C., Moyse, E., Duchamp, A.: Dopaminergic modulation of mitral cell activity in the frog olfactory bulb: a combined radioligand binding-electrophysiological study. Neuroscience 79(1), 203–216 (1997)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Greenman, J., El-Maaytah, M., Duffield, J., Spencer, P., Rosenberg, M., Corry, D., Saad, S., Lenton, P., Majerus, G., Nachnani, S.: Assessing the relationship between concentrations of malodor compounds and odor scores from judges. J. Am. Dent. Assoc. 136(6), 749–757 (2005)

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Keller, A., Zhuang, H., Chi, Q., Vosshall, L.B., Matsunami, H.: Genetic variation in a human odorant receptor alters odour perception. Nature 449(7161), 468–472 (2007)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kurahashi, T., Menini, A.: Mechanism of odorant adaptation in the olfactory receptor cell. Nature 385(6618), 725–729 (1997)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Laing, D.G., Francis, G.W.: The capacity of humans to identify odors in mixtures. Physiol. Behav. 46(5), 809–814 (1989)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Laing, D.G., Panhuber, H., Willcox, M.E., Pittman, E.A.: Quality and intensity of binary odor mixtures. Physiol. Behav. 33(2), 309–319 (1984)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Laing, D.G., Eddy, A., Best, D.J.: Perceptual characteristics of binary, trinary, and quaternary odor mixtures consisting of unpleasant constituents. Physiol. Behav. 56(1), 81–93 (1994)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Laska, M., Hudson, R.: A comparison of the detection thresholds of odour mixtures and their components. Chem. Senses 16(6), 651–662 (1991)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lesschaeve, I., Issanchou, S.: Effects of panel experience on olfactory memory performance: influence of stimuli familiarity and labeling ability of subjects. Chem. Senses 21(6), 699–709 (1996)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Livermore, A., Laing, D.G.: Influence of training and experience on the perception of multicomponent odor mixtures. J. Exp. Psychol. Hum. Percept. Perform. 22(2), 267–277 (1996)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nachnani, S., Majerus, G., Lenton, P., Hodges, J., Magallanes, E.: Effects of training on odor judges scoring intensity. Oral Dis. 11(Suppl 1), 40–44 (2005)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rosenberg, M., Septon, I., Eli, I., Bar-Ness, R., Gelernter, I., Brenner, S., Gabbay, J.: Halitosis measurement by an industrial sulphide monitor. J. Periodontol. 62(8), 487–489 (1991)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shepherd, G.M.: Discrimination of molecular signals by the olfactory receptor neuron. Neuron 13(4), 771–790 (1994)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stevens, J.C., Cain, W.S., Burke, R.J.: Variability of olfactory thresholds. Chem. Senses 13, 643–653 (1988)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Strotmann, J., Wanner, I., Helfrich, T., Beck, A., Meinken, C., Kubick, S., Breer, H.: Olfactory neurones expressing distinct odorant receptor subtypes are spatially segregated in the nasal neuroepithelium. Cell Tissue Res. 276(3), 429–438 (1994)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Thuerauf, N., Reulbach, U., Lunkenheimer, J., Lunkenheimer, B., Spannenberger, R., Gossler, A., Maihofner, C., Bleich, S., Kornhuber, J., Markovic, K.: Emotional reactivity to odors: olfactory sensitivity and the span of emotional evaluation separate the genders. Neurosci. Lett. 456(2), 74–79 (2009)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wysocki, C.J., Gilbert, A.N.: National Geographic Smell Survey. Effects of age are heterogenous. Ann. NY Acad. Sci. 561, 12–28 (1989)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zald, D.H., Pardo, J.V.: Emotion, olfaction, and the human amygdala: amygdala activation during aversive olfactory stimulation. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 94(8), 4119–4124 (1997)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel

    Dr. Nir Sterer DMD, PhD & Prof. Mel Rosenberg PhD

Authors
  1. Dr. Nir Sterer DMD, PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Prof. Mel Rosenberg PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nir Sterer DMD, PhD .

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2011 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Sterer, N., Rosenberg, M. (2011). Odor Perception. In: Breath Odors. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-19312-5_4

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-19312-5_4

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-19311-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-19312-5

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation