Question

I am new to Pheromones can you please help with these questions.​ Please help me!!!!

1. Contrast Primer and releaser pheromones

2. Describe the properties of QMP as both a releaser and primer

3. QMP is both volatile and non-volatile, list an example of each

4. What is the difference between a pheromone and a hormone?

Answer 1

1. Primer and releaser pheromones

Releaser pheromones are pheromones that cause an alterations in the behavior of the recipient. They induce immediate behavioral reaction in the recipient.

Whereas the primer pheromones cause a physiological change in the recipient such as development of a particular caste or sexual maturation which eventually modifies the organism's behavior. It acts through gustratory sensila.

2. Queen mandibular pheromone (QMP) as both a releaser and primer

The QMP consists of five component blend of acids and aromatics produced in the queen's mandibular glands that is involved in both primer and releaser functions. These five components are 9-oxo-2-decenoic acid (9ODA), cis and trans-9-hydroxydec-2-enoic acid (9HDA), methyl-p-hydroxybenzoate (HOB) and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenylethanol (HVA). The QMP elicits multiple distinct behavioral and physiological responses in worker bees as both a releaser and primer.

3. Queen mandibular pheromone is both volatile and non-volatile:

The chemical messengers are secreted by a queen to elicit a response in other bees. They are produced as a volatile or non volatile liquid and transmitted by direct contact as a liquid or vapor.

The examples of volatile chemical messengers are isopentyl acetate, butyl acetate, pentyl acetate and 2-nonanol and the examples of non volatile chemical messenger are ethyl and methyl fatty acid esters.

These chemical messeges are received by the bee's antenna and other body parts.

4. Difference between a pheromone and a hormone:

Pheromones act outside the body of the individual that is secreting them and impact a behaviour of other individuals whereas the hormones usually affect the individual that is secreting them.