Chemical Signaling
Communication between organisms or cells using chemical compounds. Includes pheromones between organisms and hormones within organisms.
Used in the Books
This term appears in 5 chapters:
"...om/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-75596-0_10 - Research documenting how fungal mycorrhizal networks connect multiple trees, enabling resource exchange and chemical signaling. Explains the "wood wide web" through which forests redistribute nutrients, support stressed trees, and transmit defense signals - biological evidenc..."
"Book 5, Chapter 1: Chemical Signaling - Messages Without Words Part 1: The Biology of Chemical Communication A female silk moth releases a chemical into the air."
"...rum is reached - autoinducer concentration crosses a threshold, triggering coordinated gene expression across the entire population. The bacteria use chemical signaling to sense how many neighbors are present and to synchronize behavior accordingly. ::: Quorum sensing is democracy at the microbial scale: cells vote ..."
"...ccurs even if neighboring plants haven't been attacked yet - the network transmits early warning signals. The mechanism: attacked plants alter their chemical signaling in roots (releasing stress hormones, volatile compounds, defensive molecules). These chemicals are absorbed by fungi, propagate through hyphal networ..."
"...nize nodules, effectively cheating by consuming plant resources without providing proportional benefit. Legumes employ multi-layered recognition: Chemical signaling (species-level recognition): Legume roots secrete flavonoid compounds specific to each legume species."
Biological Context
Chemical signals are the oldest and most universal communication system in biology. Bacteria use quorum sensing molecules, insects use pheromones for mating and alarm, plants release volatile compounds to warn neighbors of herbivore attack. Chemical signals can travel through air, water, or direct contact.
Business Application
Organizations use 'chemical signaling' equivalents: formal memos, Slack channels, and cultural cues that spread information without direct conversation. Understanding signal propagation helps design effective communication systems.