Anthropology Department, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA.
Am J Phys Anthropol. 2010;143 Suppl 51:63-74. doi: 10.1002/ajpa.21441.
The olfactory receptor gene family is the largest in the mammalian genome (and larger than any other gene family in any other species), comprising 1% of genes. Beginning with a genetic radiation in reptiles roughly 200 million years ago, terrestrial vertebrates can detect millions of odorants. Each species has an olfactory repertoire unique to the genetic makeup of that species. The human olfactory repertoire is quite diverse. Contrary to erroneously reported estimates, humans can detect millions of airborne odorants (volatiles) in quite small concentrations. We exhibit tremendous variation in our genes that control the receptors in our olfactory epithelium, and this may relate to variation in cross-cultural perception of and preference for odors. With age, humans experience differential olfactory dysfunction, with some odors remaining strong and others becoming increasingly faint. Olfactory dysfunction has been pathologically linked to depression and quality of life issues, neurodegenerative disorders, adult and childhood obesity, and decreased nutrition in elderly females. Human pheromones, a controversial subject, seem to be a natural phenomenon, with a small number identified in clinical studies. The consumer product industry (perfumes, food and beverage, and pesticides) devotes billions of dollars each year supporting olfactory research in an effort to enhance product design and marketing. With so many intersecting areas of research, anthropology has a tremendous contribution to make to this growing body of work that crosses traditional disciplinary lines and has a clear applied component. Also, anthropology could benefit from considering the power of the olfactory system in memory, behavioral and social cues, evolutionary history, mate choice, food decisions, and overall health.
嗅觉受体基因家族是哺乳动物基因组中最大的基因家族（比其他任何物种的任何其他基因家族都大），占基因总数的 1%。大约 2 亿年前，爬行动物发生了一次遗传辐射，从此，陆地脊椎动物能够探测到数百万种气味。每个物种都有一种独特的嗅觉基因库，这是由该物种的遗传构成决定的。人类的嗅觉基因库非常多样化。与错误报道的估计相反，人类可以在非常小的浓度下检测到数百万种空气传播的气味（挥发性物质）。我们控制嗅觉上皮细胞受体的基因存在巨大差异，这可能与不同文化对气味的感知和偏好有关。随着年龄的增长，人类会经历不同程度的嗅觉功能障碍，有些气味仍然强烈，而有些气味则变得越来越淡。嗅觉功能障碍与抑郁和生活质量问题、神经退行性疾病、成年和儿童肥胖以及老年女性营养摄入减少等病理问题有关。人类信息素是一个有争议的话题，它似乎是一种自然现象，在临床研究中已经确定了少数几种。消费品行业（香水、食品和饮料以及农药）每年投入数十亿美元支持嗅觉研究，以努力增强产品设计和营销。由于有如此多的研究领域相互交叉，人类学可以为这个日益增长的、跨越传统学科界限且具有明显应用成分的工作做出巨大贡献。此外，人类学也可以从考虑嗅觉系统在记忆、行为和社会线索、进化历史、配偶选择、食物选择和整体健康方面的力量中受益。
