pheromones
Airborne attraction molecules
Pheromones are chemical substances released by animals that trigger behavioral or physiological responses in others of the same species.
Insects use pheromones to signal alarm, mark trails, or attract mates.
The term extends to humans, though evidence for human pheromones remains contested: The company sells perfume claiming to contain pheromones.
The singular pheromone names the substance or concept generally.
Attractive, tempting quality
- seductionEnticing someone romantically
- chemistryStudy of substances' interactions
- matingReproductive pairing behavior
- arousalStirring to heightened state
courtship · desire · magnetism · enticement · fascination · lust · infatuation · flirtation
Bloodstream signaling molecules
- secretionSubstance released by glands
- glandsSecreting organs
- receptorsProteins binding specific molecules
- olfactionSense of scent detection
biochemistry · molecules · exocrine · biosynthesis · evolution · ethology · species · adaptation
Message-conveying cue
- transmissionSending of information
- messageTransmitted communication
- recognitionPerceiving something as known
- nestmateAnimal sharing a dwelling
aggregation · dispersal · recruitment · warning · releaser · primer · modulator
First in origin
- innateExisting since birth
- unconsciousNot awake or aware
- hardwiredPermanently connected by wires
- driveOperate a vehicle
impulse · visceral · automatic · behavior · survival · reflex · ancestral · inborn
allure
Attractive, tempting quality
- seductionEnticing someone romantically
- chemistryStudy of substances' interactions
- matingReproductive pairing behavior
arousal · courtship · desire · magnetism · enticement · fascination · lust · infatuation · flirtation · aphrodisiac
hormones
Bloodstream signaling molecules
- secretionSubstance released by glands
- glandsSecreting organs
- receptorsProteins binding specific molecules
olfaction · biochemistry · molecules · exocrine · biosynthesis · evolution · ethology · species · adaptation · chemoreceptors
signal
Message-conveying cue
- transmissionSending of information
- messageTransmitted communication
- recognitionPerceiving something as known
nestmate · aggregation · dispersal · recruitment · warning · releaser · primer · modulator
primal
First in origin
- innateExisting since birth
- unconsciousNot awake or aware
- hardwiredPermanently connected by wires
drive · impulse · visceral · automatic · behavior · survival · reflex · ancestral · inborn · instinctual
ant
Small colonial insect
wasp · silkworm · honeybee · forager · swarm · hive · colony · antenna · larvae · brood
compound
Combined into one
lipid · cadaverine · ketone · aldehyde · terpenoid · steroid · organic · synthesis
- bee communicationround dance, stop signal, piping
- mating traitssexual selection, courtship, plumage, antlers, ornamentation
- smellsmell, scent, odor, reek, aroma
- animal signalsbody language, bird songs, tail wagging, mating calls, whale song
- environmental signalstemperature, light, sound, smell, weather
- Animal Biochemicalsproteins, enzymes, hormones, lipids, amino acids
pheromoneshormones
Bloodstream signaling molecules
neurotransmitters · verbal communication · perfume · cologne
pheromonesvisual signals
Communication through sight
vocalizations · body language · bioluminescence · written language · birdsong
- pheromone trailChemical pathway left by insects
- sex pheromonesChemical mating signals