Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Taste and smell function in pediatric blood and marrow transplant patients.

Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer·2012
Same author

Taste disorders in Australian Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children.

Acta paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)·2011
Same author

Intranasal trigeminal function in children.

Developmental medicine and child neurology·2007
Same author

Relationship between molecular structure, concentration and odor qualities of oxygenated aliphatic molecules.

Chemical senses·2002
Same author

A psychophysical study of the relationship between temporal processing in odor mixtures and transduction pathways.

Brain research. Cognitive brain research·2001
Same author

Identification of the components of taste mixtures by adults and children.

Developmental psychobiology·2001

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 13, 2026

Constructing an Olfactometer for Rodent Olfactory Behavior Studies Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Hyperscanning Study in Psychological Counseling
08:36

Constructing an Olfactometer for Rodent Olfactory Behavior Studies Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Hyperscanning Study in Psychological Counseling

Published on: April 11, 2025

829

Characterisation of human behaviour during odour perception

D G Laing

    Perception
    |January 1, 1982
    PubMed
    Summary

    Understanding human sniffing patterns is key to developing better odor measurement tools. Key factors like total volume, time, and number of sniffs vary with odor concentration, guiding olfactometer design.

    Area of Science:

    • Olfactory Science
    • Human Sensory Perception
    • Psychophysics

    Background:

    • Optimal odor perception factors remain undefined, hindering standardized olfactory response measurement.
    • Current olfactometers may not align with human inhalation needs during sniffing.
    • Varied sniffing techniques suggest underlying patterns for optimal odor detection.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate human inhalation rates, volumes, sniff number, and duration during olfactory tests.
    • To identify key parameters influencing odor perception and sampling.
    • To inform the design of more effective olfactometers.

    Main Methods:

    • Twenty-three human subjects participated in odor-threshold and intensity tests using specific odorants.
    • A hot-wire anemometer within an air-dilution olfactometer measured inhalation parameters.

    More Related Videos

    Author Spotlight: Exploring Olfactory Influences on Corticospinal Excitability - Insights and Innovations in Neurological Research
    06:13

    Author Spotlight: Exploring Olfactory Influences on Corticospinal Excitability - Insights and Innovations in Neurological Research

    Published on: January 19, 2024

    1.5K
    Real-time In Vitro Monitoring of Odorant Receptor Activation by an Odorant in the Vapor Phase
    09:53

    Real-time In Vitro Monitoring of Odorant Receptor Activation by an Odorant in the Vapor Phase

    Published on: April 23, 2019

    7.4K

    Related Experiment Videos

    Last Updated: Jan 13, 2026

    Constructing an Olfactometer for Rodent Olfactory Behavior Studies Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Hyperscanning Study in Psychological Counseling
    08:36

    Constructing an Olfactometer for Rodent Olfactory Behavior Studies Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Hyperscanning Study in Psychological Counseling

    Published on: April 11, 2025

    829
    Author Spotlight: Exploring Olfactory Influences on Corticospinal Excitability - Insights and Innovations in Neurological Research
    06:13

    Author Spotlight: Exploring Olfactory Influences on Corticospinal Excitability - Insights and Innovations in Neurological Research

    Published on: January 19, 2024

    1.5K
    Real-time In Vitro Monitoring of Odorant Receptor Activation by an Odorant in the Vapor Phase
    09:53

    Real-time In Vitro Monitoring of Odorant Receptor Activation by an Odorant in the Vapor Phase

    Published on: April 23, 2019

    7.4K
  • Sniffing patterns were analyzed across different odor types and concentrations.
  • Main Results:

    • Individual sniffing techniques varied but showed consistent patterns for different odors and tasks.
    • Odor concentration correlated with total sampled volume, total sampling time, and number of sniffs.
    • Maximum inhalation rate remained stable, irrespective of odor characteristics.

    Conclusions:

    • Sniffing parameters like volume, time, and number of sniffs are crucial for odor concentration assessment.
    • Human inhalation requirements during sniffing episodes are often unmet by current olfactometer designs.
    • Observed commonalities in sniffing techniques suggest they approximate optimal odor perception.