Characterizing and modeling concentration-response curves of olfactory receptor cells

The spike frequency of olfactory receptor cells in response to different od orants at various concentrations was measured experimentally. The concentra tion-response curves were constructed and characterized by biologically sig nificant parameters measuring the amplitude, sensitivity and dynamic range of the responses. The parameters that vary independently for different odor ants and neurons are candidates for qualitative coding in olfaction. The cu rves can be accounted for by a model of the receptor cell we developed. Thi s model suggests that most of the variability in sensitivity results from t he variability of odorant-receptor binding characteristics. (C) 2001 Elsevi er Science B.V. All rights reserved.