A Molecular Basis of Olfaction: Odorant‑Specific Electric-Field Emission

Abstract

The olfactory system is capable of distinguishing individual odorants from among  a virtually unlimited number. Fish, for example, detect changes in the electric field environment induced by prey and other sources.   Floral electric fields exhibit variations in pattern and structure, which can be discriminated by bumblebees.  We have constructed an electric field sensor, which, in the course of focussing on achieving maximum sensitivity and consistency, ultimately resembles features of the insect sensorium. A “fingerprint” 3D plot ( time, frequency range, voltage amplitude), representing the emitted electric field profile, is presented for each of a variety of odorants and other chemicals. The substance-specific electric-field emission and identification is not impeded by containers or barriers or distance.