pheromone

(noun)

a chemical secreted by an animal that affects the development or behavior of other members of the same species, functioning often as a means of attracting a member of the opposite sex

Examples of pheromone in the following topics:

  • Animal Communication and Living in Groups

    • Animals communicate using signals, which can be chemical (pheromones), aural (sound), visual (courtship displays), or tactile (touch).
    • These signals are chemical (pheromones), aural (sound), visual (courtship and aggressive displays), or tactile (touch).
    • A pheromone is a secreted, chemical signal used to obtain a response from another individual of the same species.
    • The purpose of pheromones is to elicit a specific behavior from the receiving individual.
    • Even humans are thought to respond to certain pheromones called axillary steroids.

  • Pollination by Bats, Birds, Wind, and Water

    • Chiloglottis trapeziformis emits a compound that smells the same as the pheromone emitted by a female wasp to attract male wasps.
    • The flower of this orchid mimics the appearance of a female wasp and emits a pheromone.