An electrophysiological study of odour similarities of homologous substances
- 31 August 1966
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Wiley in The Journal of Physiology
- Vol. 186 (1), 97-109
- https://doi.org/10.1113/jphysiol.1966.sp008022
Abstract
The activity of single bulbar units in the olfactory system of the frog was recorded extracellularly by means of micro-electrodes. The electroolfactogram was recorded simultaneously from the receptor epithelium. The olfactory epithelium was stimulated with substances of homologous series of normal aliphatic alcohols, acetates and ketones. The effect on a bulbar unit was classified as excitatory or inhibitory, and the chi-square values calculated with one degree of freedom for all pairs in a given series. The statistical values obtained indicated the degree of similarity in olfactory stimulative properties between the odors. The results show that the degree of similarity in olfactory properties is greatest among neighboring substances and gradually decreases with increasing separation in chain length. Significant rank correlation coefficients were found between the chi-square values and the molecular weight ratios for alcohols and acetates. The results are discussed in relation to psychophysical findings obtained with the same substances.This publication has 11 references indexed in Scilit:
- Chemical transmission in the nose of the frog.The Journal of Physiology, 1965
- Studies on the responses of bulbar neurons of frog to different odour stimuli.1965
- A MATCHING‐STANDARDS METHOD FOR CHARACTERIZING ODOR QUALITIES*Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1964
- EVALUATION OF FAR INFRARED RELATIONS TO ODOR BY A STANDARDS SIMILARITY METHOD*Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1964
- Studies of the Relation Between the Frog's Electro‐Olfactogram (EOG) and Single Unit Activity in the Olfactory BulbActa Physiologica Scandinavica, 1964
- Some aspects of the function of the olfactory system.1963
- Comparison of Slow Potentials Evoked in the Frog's Nasal Mucosa and Olfactory Bulb by Natural StimulationActa Physiologica Scandinavica, 1960
- The Action of the Mammalian Olfactory OrganThe Journal of Laryngology & Otology, 1956
- Analysis of the electrical activity of the olfactory epithelium.1955
- Sensory Messages and Sensation: The Response of the Olfactory Organ to Different SmellsActa Physiologica Scandinavica, 1953