Background
A mouse used in the study.
The mouse is widely used as a model organism in olfactory research. However, only a few studies, have been conducted with regard to olfaction at organismal level in the mouse. No study has determined olfactory detection thresholds for amino acids in mice.
Amino acids constitute the building blocks of proteins that are present in all living materials on earth. They can evoke specific taste sensations and subsequently contribute to the flavor of food.
Amino acids can exist as two forms of optical isomers (L or D), with glycine as the only exception. The amino acids found mainly in protein are the L form, but the D form can be found in proteins of some sea species as well as in bacterial cell walls. However, the knowledge about the role of amino acids as olfactory stimuli is limited.
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Director of undergraduate studies Biology
Last updated:
05/18/10