The Invisible Language of Nature
Description
Discover the ancient, invisible language of nature!
How did chemical means of communication develop over the course of evolution? Why are chemical signals so crucial for the survival of plants and animals? This nonfiction book takes you on an exciting journey into the world of chemical communication.
Billions of years ago, when the Earth was shaken by volcanoes and meteorite impacts, the first living organisms began to use chemical signals in order to survive. This ancient form of communication, known as chemoreception, enabled the earliest cells to find food and avoid dangers. Over the course of evolution, these chemical signals developed further and became an indispensable tool for interaction between organisms.
Learn how pheromones, one of the most important classes of biologically active compounds, control animal behavior, and how chemical weapons such as antibiotics and phytoncides are used in the struggle for survival. Discover the fascinating world of semiochemicals, which serve as signaling substances that exchange vital information between organisms. And learn how we humans, too, are part of this chemical communication system.
This book is aimed at all those who have an interest in nature and basic knowledge of chemistry and biology. It offers an easy-to-understand, popular-science presentation of chemical communication and shows how these invisible signals influence life on our planet.
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Ivan Ivanov is a professor of biochemistry and molecular biology and a member of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. He graduated from the University of Sofia with a degree in organic chemistry and a specialization in the chemistry of natural compounds. After completing his doctorate in biochemistry, he turned to molecular biology, which became the focus of his professional activities. He is the author of 220 scientific papers in the fields of molecular biology and biochemistry, which have been cited more than 3,600 times. He has written a monograph on immune interferon, CRC Press, USA, 2000, a textbook on biochemistry, and several popular science books. He is the founder of the Laboratory for Gene Synthesis and the Department of Gene Regulation at the Institute of Molecular Biology "Acad. Rumen Tsanev" of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, where he also served as director. For many years, he was a lecturer in biochemistry at UCTM - Sofia and a visiting professor at the Universities of New Brunswick and Toronto (Canada). Under his scientific supervision, more than 30 doctoral theses and 60 diploma theses were completed.
Content
Introduction.- Chemical communication in nature.- The chemical messages of insects: the molecules of love.- How do insects perceive love messages?.- Since when have there been pheromones?.- Why do we study sex pheromones?.- Advantages of pheromones over insecticides.- Chemistry of the model society.- The chemical signals of the benthos.- "Trouble!" in the language of fish.- How do fish perceive alarm signals?.- The living gas analyzer.- How do humans and mammals perceive smells?.- How does an odor molecule interact with an odor receptor?.- Molecules and smells.- Why is there chaos in olfaction research?.- The invisible messages of mammals.- Musk glands.- Chemical nature of musk.- Scented calling cards.- The biological significance of scented calling cards.- Musk and demography.- More about musk.- In one's own skin with a foreign smell.- The language of our ancestors.- A dialogue between two kingdoms: "yes" and "no" in the language of chemistry.- Phytoalexins.- Predatory fungi and nematodes.- Carnivorous plants.- The secret of gall wasps.- Chemical weapons of animals.- The deadly weapon of snakes.- Which snakes are venomous?.- How strong is snake venom and how dangerous is it to humans?.- What is contained in snake venom?.- The venom of living fossils - scorpions.- The chemical weapon of spiders.- With a hint of almonds.- The chemical weapon of hymenopterans.- What do the venoms of hymenopterans contain?.- Large bombardier beetle.- Do mammals possess chemical weapons?.- Conclusions.- Glossary.- Further reading.