Wordsmith.org: the magic of words

Wordsmith Talk

About Us | What's New | Search | Site Map | Contact Us  

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
#61514 03/17/02 08:37 PM
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
W
wwh Offline OP
Carpal Tunnel
OP Offline
Carpal Tunnel
W
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
As I remember it, the word "hormone" was coined from a Greek word for "messenger."

Hormones are found in plants as well as in animals. I remember reading over twenty years ago about resistance to Gypsy moth infestation arising in trees well removed from initial invaded tree, and apparently mediated by something in aerosols release from leaves being chewed by the moth larvae.Increased tannin in the leaves reached levels toxic to the larvae.

In the latest Discover magazine there is an article aboutmany different kinds of plants emitting aerosols that attract predators of the insects that are damaging them.No name is given to these agents.

Would "hormone" be appropriate in this case?


#61515 03/17/02 09:21 PM
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,296
W
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
W
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,296
Hormone sounds good to me for what's being emitted, Bill. Let's see--that gypsy moth infestation. Which tree was particularly vulnerable to the gypsy moth? I wish the gypsy moth had attacked that blessed ailanthus that is taking over the woods of Pennsylvania along I-81 or 80 (can't remember which).

Best regards,
WordWeevil


#61516 03/17/02 09:39 PM
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
W
wwh Offline OP
Carpal Tunnel
OP Offline
Carpal Tunnel
W
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
The gypsy moths might attack any one or more trees. What was observed was that the trees downwind from those first attacked had much less total damage by the time new infestations became fewer. and the last one attacked had the least damage.


#61517 03/17/02 10:42 PM
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 10,542
Likes: 1
W
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
W
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 10,542
Likes: 1
Would this be an appropriate usage for "pheromone"?


#61518 03/17/02 11:07 PM
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,385
P
veteran
Offline
veteran
P
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,385
plants emitting aerosols that attract predators of the marauder
A "messenger" [hormone] can be sent for pizza, wwh. This plant sends out a 911 for a "hit" on its tormentor. Call it a Machiavellimone or Cosa Nostrol.


#61519 03/17/02 11:11 PM
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
W
wwh Offline OP
Carpal Tunnel
OP Offline
Carpal Tunnel
W
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Dear wofahulicodoc: I have never seen the difference spelled out. Since Pheromone is newer, perhaps it was intended to be more inclusive.

Remember way to make a hormone? Don't pay her.


#61520 03/18/02 01:33 AM
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 10,542
Likes: 1
W
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
W
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 10,542
Likes: 1
I think it has to do with the mode of transmission. Hormones are only within the organism, transmitted by the bloodstream to the target organ.

Don't certain female insects emit pheromones into the atmosphere as attractants to the males? That's been exploited in some pest control devices.

And they've even been found in humans, with receptors in the nasal passages of the opposite sex. For a while they were incorporated into some perfumes, as I recall; maybe still. (No, they're not aphrodisiacs at all, but they do seem to render the recipient more calm, serene, friendly, receptive.)

Pheromones were a sexy topic not too many years ago; there ought to be a lot available via google.


#61521 03/18/02 01:50 AM
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
W
wwh Offline OP
Carpal Tunnel
OP Offline
Carpal Tunnel
W
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
I found a good site, with definition of ";heromone".
Definition: Pheromone = ectohormone - secreted outside the body into the
environment where they can have behavioural or physiological effects on other
animals (of the same species ???).

Some of the substances involved in plant defenses are thought to be aerosols from "saliva" of larvae or insects doing the chewing. Thiis would not fit pheromone definition.
A quote:"Dicke found that when spider mites attack lima bean plants, the plants release a chemical SOS that attracts another mite that preys on the spider mite."


#61522 03/18/02 11:38 AM
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,385
P
veteran
Offline
veteran
P
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,385
lima bean plants release a chemical SOS
Are you still looking for a name, wwh? How about SOBol - the Save Our Butt (or "Bean") aerosol


#61523 03/18/02 01:07 PM
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,146
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,146
lima bean plants release a chemical SOS
Are you still looking for a name, wwh? How about SOBol - the Save Our Butt (or "Bean") aerosol


Well, w-a-a-a-a-y down in Mexico, they just take up athletics, don't they?



The idiot also known as Capfka ...

Moderated by  Jackie 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Forum Statistics
Forums16
Topics13,913
Posts229,333
Members9,182
Most Online3,341
Dec 9th, 2011
Newest Members
Ineffable, ddrinnan, TRIALNERRA, befuddledmind, KILL_YOUR_SUV
9,182 Registered Users
Who's Online Now
0 members (), 709 guests, and 3 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Top Posters(30 Days)
Top Posters
wwh 13,858
Faldage 13,803
Jackie 11,613
wofahulicodoc 10,542
tsuwm 10,542
LukeJavan8 9,916
AnnaStrophic 6,511
Wordwind 6,296
of troy 5,400
Disclaimer: Wordsmith.org is not responsible for views expressed on this site. Use of this forum is at your own risk and liability - you agree to hold Wordsmith.org and its associates harmless as a condition of using it.

Home | Today's Word | Yesterday's Word | Subscribe | FAQ | Archives | Search | Feedback
Wordsmith Talk | Wordsmith Chat

© 1994-2024 Wordsmith

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5