Mechanism of smell: Electrochemistry, receptors and cell signaling

This report presents in four main parts a novel approach based on electrochemistry, receptors and cell signaling. In Part A, there is limited correlation between dipole moments (DMs), associated electrostatic fields (EFs), and odor. For Part B, binding of the odorant to the receptor results in interaction of the ligand EF with those of the protein receptor, resulting in alteration. Part C addresses passage of the message by the altered EF to the olfactory neurons. Part D represents the final step in which the electrical signal is converted to perceived odor in the cerebral olfactory cortex.