Pheromones

What are pheromones?

Chemical substances produced and released by the body that activate specific physiological or behavioural responses in other individuals of the same species.

What role do pheromones play in animals?

They play a significant role in signalling between members of the same species to affect various behaviours.

What are primer pheromones?

Pheromones that cause slow, long-term physiological changes, such as hormonal effects.

What are signalling pheromones?

Pheromones that produce rapid behavioural effects, such as mating.

Are human pheromones confirmed?

No, at this stage no human pheromone has been definitively found.

What are two potential human pheromones?

Androstadienone (AND) found in male semen and sweat, and Estratetraenol (EST) found in female urine.

What is the major histocompatibility complex (MHC)?

A group of genes that play an important role in the immune system.

What do MHC genes do?

They make molecules that enable the immune system to recognise pathogens.

How does MHC diversity affect offspring?

The more diverse the parents' MHC genes, the stronger the immune system of the offspring.

How are MHC genes inherited?

Co-dominantly