pheromone
Species-specific body signal
A pheromone is a chemical substance released by an animal that triggers behavioral or physiological responses in others of the same species.
Insects use pheromones to signal alarm, mark trails, or attract mates.
The term extends loosely to humans, though scientific evidence for human pheromones remains contested: The cologne claimed to contain pheromones.
Airborne odor detected
- communicationExchanging ideas or information
- emissionDischarged substance or act
- detectionAct of finding something
- receptorSignal-receiving molecule
trace · marking · territory · trail · alarm · primer · releaser · modulator
Indicating with symbols
- territoryLand under jurisdiction
- urineRenal excretion fluid
- muskAnimal-derived fragrance base
- glandSecreting body organ
deer · boar · cat · dog · rodent · elephant · spraying · estrus
Sensory appendages on insects
Substance released by glands
- compoundCombined into one
- synthesisCombining parts into whole
- biochemistryScience of living chemistry
- glandSecreting body organ
receptor · neurotransmitter · biosynthesis · organic · volatile · exocrine · molecule · olfactory
scent
Airborne odor detected
- communicationExchanging ideas or information
- emissionDischarged substance or act
- detectionAct of finding something
receptor · trace · marking · territory · trail · alarm · primer · releaser · modulator · chemoreception
marking
Indicating with symbols
gland · deer · boar · cat · dog · rodent · elephant · spraying · estrus · dominance
antennae
Sensory appendages on insects
queen · worker · drone · moth · beetle · ant · bee · trail · alarm · brood
secretion
Substance released by glands
- compoundCombined into one
- synthesisCombining parts into whole
- biochemistryScience of living chemistry
gland · receptor · neurotransmitter · biosynthesis · organic · volatile · exocrine · molecule · olfactory · peptide
mating
Reproductive pairing behavior
- allureAttractive, tempting quality
- arousalStirring to heightened state
- seductionEnticing someone romantically
chemistry · desire · courtship · fertility · ovulation · estrus · receptivity · copulation · breeding · heat
pheromonevisual signal
Cue perceived by sight
auditory signal · vocalization · mating call · bioluminescence · birdsong
- pheromone trailChemical pathway left by insects
- sex pheromonesChemical mating signals