KAIROMONES Meaning and
Definition
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Kairomones are chemical signals released by one organism that affect the behavior or development of another organism, typically of a different species. These chemical compounds serve as a means of communication between different organisms and are often used by one organism to manipulate the behavior or physiology of another organism to its advantage.
Kairomones are most commonly used in the context of animal behavior, particularly in the field of chemical ecology. They are usually released by predators or parasitoids to attract, repel, or modify the behavior of their prey or hosts. For example, certain insects release kairomones that attract parasitoid wasps, which lay their eggs on the insect larvae that serve as their hosts.
However, kairomones can also be used by plants to defend themselves against herbivores. Some plants release chemical signals that attract predators of the herbivores, thus acting as a defense mechanism.
The term "kairomone" was first coined by the scientist Adolf Butenandt in 1958, combining the Greek words "kairos" (meaning favorable moment or opportunity) and "hormone" (meaning chemical messenger). This reflects the idea that kairomones are chemical messengers that take advantage of specific moments or opportunities in the interactions between different organisms.
Overall, kairomones play a crucial role in interspecific communication, allowing organisms to influence the behavior and development of other species for their own benefit.
Etymology of KAIROMONES
The word "kairomones" is derived from the combination of two Greek words - "kairos" meaning "opportunity" or "fitting time" and "hormon" meaning "to excite" or "to set in motion". The term was coined in the mid-1950s by the American entomologist, Kenneth Roelofs, to describe chemical signals emitted by one species that benefit another species by altering their behavior to create an opportunity or advantage for the emitting species. The word "kairomones" is often used in the context of chemical communication between organisms, especially in the animal kingdom.
