Chemical ecology
Encyclopedia
Chemical ecology is the study of the chemicals involved in the interactions of living organism
s. It focuses on the production of and response to signaling molecules (i.e. semiochemical
s) and toxins. Chemical ecology is of particular importance among ants and other social insects – including bees, wasps, and termites – as a means of communication essential to social organization. In addition, this area of ecology deals with studies involving defensive chemicals which are utilized to deter potential predators, which may attack a wide variety of species.
Organism
In biology, an organism is any contiguous living system . In at least some form, all organisms are capable of response to stimuli, reproduction, growth and development, and maintenance of homoeostasis as a stable whole.An organism may either be unicellular or, as in the case of humans, comprise...
s. It focuses on the production of and response to signaling molecules (i.e. semiochemical
Semiochemical
A semiochemical is a generic term used for a chemical substance or mixture that carries a message. These chemicals acts as messengers within or between species...
s) and toxins. Chemical ecology is of particular importance among ants and other social insects – including bees, wasps, and termites – as a means of communication essential to social organization. In addition, this area of ecology deals with studies involving defensive chemicals which are utilized to deter potential predators, which may attack a wide variety of species.
Related fields
- Analytical chemistryAnalytical chemistryAnalytical chemistry is the study of the separation, identification, and quantification of the chemical components of natural and artificial materials. Qualitative analysis gives an indication of the identity of the chemical species in the sample and quantitative analysis determines the amount of...
- BiochemistryBiochemistryBiochemistry, sometimes called biological chemistry, is the study of chemical processes in living organisms, including, but not limited to, living matter. Biochemistry governs all living organisms and living processes...
- EcologyEcologyEcology is the scientific study of the relations that living organisms have with respect to each other and their natural environment. Variables of interest to ecologists include the composition, distribution, amount , number, and changing states of organisms within and among ecosystems...
- GeneticsGeneticsGenetics , a discipline of biology, is the science of genes, heredity, and variation in living organisms....
- Organic chemistryOrganic chemistryOrganic chemistry is a subdiscipline within chemistry involving the scientific study of the structure, properties, composition, reactions, and preparation of carbon-based compounds, hydrocarbons, and their derivatives...
- EthologyEthologyEthology is the scientific study of animal behavior, and a sub-topic of zoology....
External links
- Proceedings of the National Academy of SciencesProceedings of the National Academy of SciencesThe Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, usually referred to as PNAS, is the official journal of the United States National Academy of Sciences...
supplement: Chemical Communication in a Post-Genomic World - Insect Olfaction of Plant Odour
- International Society of Chemical Ecology