  The validity of the dissipative quantum model of olfaction has not been
examined yet and therefore the model suffers from the lack of experimental
support. Here, we generalize the model and propose a numerical analysis of the
dissipative odorant-mediated inelastic electron tunneling mechanism of
olfaction, to be used as a potential examination in experiments. Our analysis
gives several predictions on the model such as efficiency of elastic and
inelastic tunneling of electrons through odorants, sensitivity thresholds in
terms of temperature and pressure, isotopic effect on sensitivity, and the
chiral recognition for discrimination between the similar and different scents.
Our predictions should yield new knowledge to design new experimental protocols
for testing the validity of the model.

Chemical Physics