Pheromone
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Pheromone
Pheromone (/ˈfɛrəmoʊn/) is a chemical substance produced and released into the environment by an animal, especially a mammal or an insect, affecting the behavior or physiology of others of its species.
Etymology
The term "pheromone" was introduced by Peter Karlson and Martin Lüscher in 1959, based on the Greek words pherein (to transfer) and hormone (to stimulate).
Types of Pheromones
Pheromones can be categorized into several types:
- Alarm pheromone - A type of pheromone that is released when an organism is threatened, alerting other members of its species to danger.
- Trail pheromone - These are common in social insects. They are used to mark paths towards food sources.
- Sex pheromone - These are released to attract potential mates. They are common in many species, from insects to mammals.
- Aggregation pheromone - These are used to attract individuals to a common area. They are often used by insects to signal the location of a food source.
Related Terms
- Endocrine system - The system of glands that produce hormones, which can include pheromones.
- Hormone - A chemical substance produced in the body that controls and regulates the activity of certain cells or organs.
- Chemical communication - The use of chemical signals, such as pheromones, to communicate between organisms.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Pheromone
- Wikipedia's article - Pheromone
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