Theory 11/Molecular/Olfaction
Smell Is Volume Against Pocket
The claim
Odorant identity is set by the ratio of molecular volume to receptor pocket volume, so molecules of similar chemistry but different size smell different.
01Mechanism
Receptors respond to fit; volume relative to the pocket determines whether a molecule activates, blocks, or fits multiple receptors.
02Prediction
Perceived odor should track the volume ratio.
03Refutation
Odor tracking chemical class would remove the geometric term.