Pheromones

In recent years, it has become clear that the behavior of animals can be influenced not only by hormones - substances secreted into the internal environment by the endocrine glands and that regulate and coordinate the functions of other tissues, but also by pheromones - substances secreted by the exocrine glands into the external environment and influencing the behavior of other individuals the same type. We are accustomed to the idea that information can be transmitted from one animal to another through visual and auditory influences; Pheromones are a means of transmitting messages by influencing the sense of smell.

Some pheromones act in some way on the recipient's central nervous system and cause an immediate behavioral response. Such pheromones include sex attractants (attracting substances) of some butterflies, as well as “trace markers” and “alarm factors” secreted by ants.

Other pheromones have a slower effect and cause a chain of physiological phenomena in the recipient that affects its growth and differentiation. Such phenomena include the regulation of growth in locusts and the regulation of the number of reproductive individuals and soldiers in termite colonies.

One of the most striking groups of pheromones are the sexual attractants of butterflies. Some of them have been isolated and identified, for example bombycol, an alcohol with 16 carbon atoms and two double bonds, secreted by female silkworms, and jiplyur, 10-acetoxy-D7-hexadecenol, secreted by female gypsy moths.

The antennae of males contain extremely sensitive receptors for the perception of attractants; the reaction to this substance is that the male flies against the wind towards its source. He cannot determine this direction by the concentration gradient, since the attractant molecules are distributed almost evenly: a noticeable gradient can only exist within a radius of several meters from its source.

In light winds, the attractant secreted by one female spreads over an area several kilometers long and up to 200 m wide. A female silkworm has on average about 0.01 mg of sexual attractant. It can be shown experimentally that just 10,000 molecules of attractant, spreading from a source located at a distance of 1 cm from the male, already cause the appropriate reaction.

Thus, the attractant secreted by one female would be enough to stimulate more than a billion males! Attractant molecules, as a rule, are quite large and have a chain of 10-17 carbon atoms, which creates the prerequisites for the specificity of these substances.

Solenopsis geminata ants that have found food, on the way back to the nest, secrete “footprint markers”, thanks to which other ants can find their way to the food. After 2 minutes, this pheromone disappears and therefore the ants cannot be led astray by old tracks.

When disturbed, ants also release special substances that act as a kind of fire bell: they act as an alarm signal to other ants nearby. These “alarm factors” have a lower molecular weight than sex attractants and are less specific, so that several different species respond to the same substance.

Worker bees that have found food release geraniol, a branched-chain, 10-carbon alcohol, to attract other worker bees; this complements the information conveyed by the waggle dance.

Queen bees secrete 9-ketodecanoic acid; When worker bees lick this substance, it causes them to inhibit the development of their ovaries and their ability to build queen cells in which new queens can be hatched. This acid also serves as a sexual attractant for drones during the mating flight.

In social insects such as ants, bees and termites, pheromones play an important role in regulating the composition of the colony and coordinating its activities.

Pheromones are substances that are released by living organisms and influence the behavior of other organisms. They can be both positive and negative for the organism that is the source of pheromones.

Pheromones are used for communication between animals, for example to find a mate or to warn of danger. Pheromones can also influence human behavior, such as desire for sex or aggression.

There are many different types of pheromones, including sex pheromones, aggression pheromones, fear pheromones, etc. Some of them can be synthesized artificially and used as medicines or cosmetics.

However, it is worth noting that the effects of pheromones on the body can be unpredictable and dangerous, especially when used in large quantities or if used incorrectly. Therefore, it is necessary to be careful when using pheromones and not to abuse them.

Pheromones are substances that are secreted by living organisms and influence the behavior of other living beings, including humans. They are used for communication between different species of animals, as well as between animals and humans. Pheromones are an integral part of our lives, and their effects on us can be both positive and negative. In this article we will look at what pheromones are, how they act on the body, and how you can use them in everyday life.

Pheromones are substances that are released by some organisms and can influence the behavior of other organisms of the same species. They are capable of influencing the mood, behavior and reproductive health of individuals. Currently, there is a lot of research in the field of pheromones and their effects on the human body. Some studies indicate that the smell of certain substances can trigger certain emotions, feelings and moods. Other research suggests that people exposed to certain pheromones may show increased attention to members of the opposite sex. In addition, experiments have established various effects of pheromones on the behavior of animals, including sharks, monkeys and mice. Based on these studies, scientists are trying to find solutions to various behavioral problems such as aggressive or restless behavior in pets and people, as well as public order problems such as traffic violations and criminal behavior. However, pheromones also have disadvantages. Some of them can lower your mood and increase fatigue, so it's important to know what they protect against. Overall, the study of pheromones has great potential for understanding how our bodies interact with other organisms, both public and private.