A Molecular Approach to Olfaction

An electrophysiological study of odour similarities of homologous substances

“…The importance of the configuration of the odorous molecules has been emphasized repeatedly (cf. Moncrieff, 1951;Beets, 1957Beets, , 1964Ruzicka, 1957;Stoll, 1957;Amoore, 1962). The chemical properties remain unaltered within each series that have the same 'functional group' (Beets, 1957(Beets, , 1964 but are different for the different series of homologous substances.…”

“…Moncrieff, 1951;Beets, 1957Beets, , 1964Ruzicka, 1957;Stoll, 1957;Amoore, 1962). The chemical properties remain unaltered within each series that have the same 'functional group' (Beets, 1957(Beets, , 1964 but are different for the different series of homologous substances. The results of the 'cross-comparison' of the present experiments demonstrate that the substances within one series give much higher chi-square values than do the odours from different series, although they had nearly the same molecular weight.…”

“…The contributions of the chemists have mainly been restricted to description of the olfactory properties of the odorous substances in terms of their similarities to various known chemicals or natural products (cf. Beets, 1964). The psychophysical approach to this problem has been concerned with developing methods used for describing the similarities in olfactory stimulative properties between odour pairs.…”

Factors Influencing Behavioral Responses to Odor Discrimination—A Review

“…One reason is the paucity of good, reliable experimental data on olfaction, considered both as a psychophysical experience and as a psychological one-that is, from the point of view of both quantitative and qualitative measurement-and the interaction between these two response modes. This is especially important in view of the more recent research findings relating to molecular properties and odor quality (Amoore, 1964 ;Beets, 1964;Davies, 1965;Schutz et al, 1958).…”

Generation and Transmission of Signals in the Olfactory System

“…It has been suggested by Beets (1962) that this stage also includes an orientation of the molecules so that they fit into certain sites of the membrane. It seems most likely that the first step in the excitatory process in volves the adsorption of the molecules on the membrane.…”