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.

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.