|
| |
|
|
Olfaction-mediated behavioural defence mechanisms in humans
Schwambergová, Dagmar ; Havlíček, Jan (advisor) ; Croy, Ilona (referee) ; Polák, Jakub (referee)
This thesis consists of two parts. The first part introduces the importance of behavioural defence mechanisms, specifically the behavioural immune system and mainly in humans. I review current knowledge regarding behavioural defence mediated by odour cues. Although behavioural defence mechanisms are important for all individuals who live in social groups, I focus on mate choice, because that is the context in which olfaction-mediated behavioural defence is studied the most. Subsequently, the importance of olfaction is demonstrated using the example of self-inspection and I discuss how the behavioural immune system may be intertwined with this relatively understudied behaviour. Finally, last chapter deals with associations between olfaction and other modalities that play a role in the detection of cues which help select a healthy and immunocompetent partner. In the second part of the thesis, I present nine papers: three reviews and six empirical studies. The review papers summarise the functioning of the behavioural immune system, olfaction- mediated pathogen avoidance in mammals, and the merely weak association between attractiveness ratings based on different modalities. The first empirical paper investigates whether the threat caused by the Covid-19 pandemic led to increased perceived disgust,...
|
|
|
Laboratorní test disasortativního párování u hraboše polního - literární rešerše
BÍLKOVÁ, Pavlína
Petrásková P. (2019): Laboratorní test disasortativního párování u hraboše polního - literární rešerše [Laboratory test of disassortative pairing in the common vole - literature search. Bc. Thesis in Czech]-49 pp. , Faculty of Sciences, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic. The aim of this work is to use the literature research to map current knowledge about the effect of odour preference on reproductive success in mammals focusing on voles. As assortative pairing is referred to each form of non-random pairing. Most of the time is meant a situation in which individuals who have similar phenotypes pair more often. The opposite is the situation where individuals with different phenotypes pair more often. This is sometimes referred to as negative assortative or disassortative pairing. In particular, this study deals with non-random pairing among to body odour . These are mainly linked to genes for the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) in animals, which play a key role in the immune system. MHC gene products found in various body secretions form the specific odour of each individual. In the research part were searched question for following questions: How is the breeding partner chosen? Is Assortative or Disassortative Pairing More Frequent? What information does body odour convey? What channels is the odour information transmitted and received? How is odour preference testing solved in laboratory conditions? In the practical part, a plan of the experiment is presented in which T-labyrinth will play the main role in determining the odour preference. Under laboratory conditions, voles will have plenty of time to complete the process
|
|
|
Association between human body odour and health status
Schwambergová, Dagmar ; Havlíček, Jan (advisor) ; Vinkler, Michal (referee)
The subject of this thesis is to evaluate a link between changes in body odor and health status in humans. The main aim was to create a theoretical overview of the available studies concerning humans, which are compared with studies conducted on mammals. Alteration of body odor due to the ongoing disease may negatively influence not only the odor attractiveness of a potential partner, but also may cause changes in behavioral response to a chemical stimulus for other members of the species. One may assume formation of perceptual adaptations exhibiting sensitivity to markers of health status in both sexes. Recognition of ill individuals may be crucial during social interactions, to prevent transmission of pathogens, but in mate choice the health status may also serve as an important indicator of resistance to infection, which can affect the viability of the offsprings. The main contribution of this thesis is to summarize the knowledge and insights into the area related to changes in body odor, depending on the health status. Keywords body odor, health, sexual selection, attractiveness, olfactory perception
|
|
|
Role of body odour in partner relationship
Černý, David ; Kuncová, Lucie (advisor) ; Martinec Nováková, Lenka (referee)
Body odor is a good guide in mate choice, because it contains information such as the kinship, emotional state, or health condition of an individual, a person is able to perceive this information to a certain extent. The individual factors that affect the body odor will subsequently influence the preferences for the body odor as well. Those preferences are applied especially when seeking for a partner and at the beginning of the relationship. At the same time, however, it turns out that body odor affects even the process of partnership and the end of it. In the context of relationships and olfactory communication in humans, especially in the context of sexual life, the effect of pheromones is often discussed, which is the subject of the last chapter. The aim of the work is to gather and critically evaluate existing studies dealing with the role of body odor in the partnership and to suggest possible directions for further research. Keywords: smell, pheromones, partner preferences, mate choice
|
|
|
Mechanisms of human body odour production
Hrubová, Noemi ; Havlíček, Jan (advisor) ; Stopková, Romana (referee)
The sterile secret of skin glands is not immediately odoriferous. The characteristic body odour is released after microorganism transformation of the secreted compounds. The aim of the work is to elucidate the mechanisms of the body odour production. The major contributor to the body odour are volatile fatty acids hydrolysed from glutamine precursors, structurally unusual long- chain fatty acids or lipids. Another component are sulphur compounds, mainly secreted as the Cys-Gly-(S) conjugates, and steroid substances. The genus Corynebacterium is associated with these transformations and intense body odour. The composition of the resident microflora varies depending on age and gender. Axillary odour with large apocrine secretion has probably biggest importance for human chemical communication. Apocrine glands secretion starts during puberty and decreases in postmenopausal women. There are quantitative differences between gender composition of sweat. In the Asian population is more common the recessive homozygosity of the ABCC11 gene which is associated with lower body odour intensity. Also MHC proteins effect body odour and they seem to play a role in mate choice. To some extent, the environmental factors such as diet or emotions influence body odour. Knowledge of mechanisms behind body odour...
|
|
|
Quality assessment of gluten-free foods with a focus on pastries
ZIMMELOVÁ, Helena
The topic of this thesis is the production of gluten-free bread from naturally gluten-free flour, which will be enriched with suitable additives that will increase antioxidant activity and naturally effect on the structure of the pastry, so it will meet the sensory requirements of final consumers. The literary part define, which proteins can be found in cereals, what does the gluten means, its function in the pastry and which diseases can cause. In connection with these diseases, a gluten-free diet for improving the patient's health and suitable foodstuff are briefly described. The literary part is concluded with the theory of sensory evaluation. The practical part deals with the production of naturally gluten-free breads enriched with ingredients from kitchen onions (Allium cepa L.) and subsequent sensory evaluation of this bread. Selected statistical procedures were used to obtain, processed and evaluated data. Antioxidant activity was also monitored and evaluated. By using texture-meter was find out, what effect has additives on aging of gluten-free bread.
|
|
|
The relation of odor exposure, olfactory abilities, and odour awareness for six year olds children.
Vojtušová Mrzílková, Radka ; Martinec Nováková, Lenka (advisor) ; Třebická Fialová, Jitka (referee)
A great degree of interindividual variability has been established in measures of psychophysical olfactory performance and odor awareness in both children and adults. Previous studies have suggested the possibility that one of the factors that might contribute to this variability might be the degree of odor exposure in everyday contexts. In the present study, we hypothesized that children exposed to a greater variety of odors on a more frequent basis would exhibit higher odor identification and odor awareness scores. We have found an effect of odor exposure on the children's olfactory knowledge as reflected in their reports of olfactory behavior, but not olfactory abilities. In so doing, we replicated some of the previous findings in the literature of female over male advantage in the olfactory domain. Namely, we report that girls showed a more profound understanding of their olfactory environment and a greater degree of olfaction-oriented behavior, which was not accounted for by a gender difference in verbal fluency. Nevertheless, girls did not outperform boys on either of the measures of olfactory performance. Semi-longitudinal and longitudinal studies in verbally proficient children, employing both self- and parental reports of children's odor exposure and repeated olfactory testing, might...
|
|
|
Olfactory marketing and its sales impact
Šimáčková, Pavla ; Vranka, Marek (advisor) ; Zezulková, Markéta (referee)
The Bachelor's Thesis entitled "Olfactory marketing and its sales impact" addresses the marketing possibilities of our olfactory sense utilisation in marketing. This Thesis is divided into three parts. The first part is supposed to put the readers in the context of the field. It tries to provide the readers with sensory marketing overview since the olfactory marketing is its subcategory. This theoretical part of Thesis includes concepts relating to human sensory perception, a definition of sensory marketing and short description of sensory marketing evolution in history and also nowadays. This chapter is concluded with description of human senses marketing utilisation. The second part is dedicated to olfactory marketing itself. It includes a definiton and also describes a human scent perception and scent impact on human emotions and memory. The olfactory marketing in history and current olfactory marketing utilisation in practice is mentioned, too. An analysis of factors impacting olfactory marketing effectivity and case studies proving positive olfactory marketing impact on sales are the pivotal points of this chapter. Olfactory marketing instruments and their approximate price are also mentioned. All the knowledge coming from the theoretical part will be used in practical part of the Thesis. The...
|
|
|
Association between human body odour and health status
Schwambergová, Dagmar ; Havlíček, Jan (advisor) ; Vinkler, Michal (referee)
The subject of this thesis is to evaluate a link between changes in body odor and health status in humans. The main aim was to create a theoretical overview of the available studies concerning humans, which are compared with studies conducted on mammals. Alteration of body odor due to the ongoing disease may negatively influence not only the odor attractiveness of a potential partner, but also may cause changes in behavioral response to a chemical stimulus for other members of the species. One may assume formation of perceptual adaptations exhibiting sensitivity to markers of health status in both sexes. Recognition of ill individuals may be crucial during social interactions, to prevent transmission of pathogens, but in mate choice the health status may also serve as an important indicator of resistance to infection, which can affect the viability of the offsprings. The main contribution of this thesis is to summarize the knowledge and insights into the area related to changes in body odor, depending on the health status. Keywords body odor, health, sexual selection, attractiveness, olfactory perception
|
guest ::
