Abstract
A Genetic Basis for Hypersensitivity to “Sweaty” Odors in Humans
Highlights
Conventional wisdom and comparative genomics both suggest that the human sense of smell pales in comparison to the olfactory skills of our canine and rodent relatives
About 2 million people in the United States have no sense of smell, though “specific anosmia”—insensitivity to a particular odor—is more common
Specific anosmia is thought to arise from mutations in olfactory receptor genes
Summary
Conventional wisdom and comparative genomics both suggest that the human sense of smell pales in comparison to the olfactory skills of our canine and rodent relatives. Humans can detect as many as 10,000 different odors, individual olfactory sensitivities are highly variable. Researchers have long suspected that variations in the genes that encode olfactory receptors, which function on the front lines of odor recognition, may explain the vast differences seen in humans’ ability to detect odors.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
