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Chemical Defense and the Environment

Chemical Defense and the Environment. Chemical Ecology Spring 2009. Melissa Csikari Tiffany Dunn Karen Hicks Michael Mourouzis Kristina Orange. Objectives:. Students will be able to give a scientific definition of chemical ecology.

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Chemical Defense and the Environment

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  1. Chemical Defenseand the Environment Chemical Ecology Spring 2009 Melissa Csikari Tiffany Dunn Karen Hicks Michael Mourouzis Kristina Orange

  2. Objectives: • Students will be able to give a scientific definition of chemical ecology. • Students will be able to describe several examples of how plants and animals display chemical defense. • Students will be able to explain the concept of chemical warfare. • Students will be able to describe how chemicals used by other organisms can benefit humans. • Students will be able to list several plant chemicals that are used by humans.

  3. Key Words: • Chemical ecology • Chemical defense • Prey • Predator • Chemical warfare • Poisonous • Insecticide • Pesticide • Bioprospectors

  4. What is chemical ecology? • The study of interactions between organisms and their environment that are mediated by naturally occurring chemicals. • Include the study of chemistry, biochemistry, ecology, genetics and biology.

  5. Chemical Defense: • Plants and animals use chemicals to help them survive the ecological issues around them. • Examples: • Deter potential predators • Ward off pathogens • Keep living space free from competing organisms • Reduce the impact of exposure to environmental stresses

  6. Chemical Warfare: • A strategy that some prey species use to discourage predators with chemicals that are poisonous, irritating, foul smelling, or bad tasting. • Scientists have identified more than 10,000 defensive chemicals made by plants.

  7. Oleander plants: • Oleander (Nerium oleander), is an evergreen shrub or small tree in the dogbane family. • It is one of the most poisonous plants in the world. • Contains numerous toxic compounds. • Examples: oleandrin and periine • Toxins are present in all parts of the plant. • Causes deadly or near lethal effects.

  8. Stinging nettles: • Stinging nettle is a round, green bush found throughout the world. • The plant gets its name from the small hair-like projections that cover it. • The hairs contain chemicals inside them that irritate a person’s skin and can be quite painful to the touch.

  9. Stinkbugs: • Stink bugs are named for their ability to exude a foul smelling substance from a pore on each side of their thorax. • Stink bugs are predacious on other insects and are good fliers.

  10. Buttercups: • Fresh buttercup plants are toxic to grazing animals. • If eaten, they can suffer from salivation, skin irritation, blisters, abdominal distress, inflammation, and diarrhea. • Fortunately, buttercup has a strong, bitter taste so animals generally try to avoid.

  11. Benefit to humans: • Chemicals used to flavor or spice up our food. • Examples: pepper, mustard, nutmeg, oregano, cinnamon, and mint. • Many chemicals are used as an insecticide or pesticide. • Examples: cyanide, strychnine, and rotenone.

  12. Bioprospectors: • Scientists who examine nature to find promising natural chemicals. • Create new medicines for the pharmaceutical companies. • Looking for treatments and cures to many human disorders and diseases.

  13. References: • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemical_ecology • http://www.chemecol.org/ • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oleander • http://www.chiroweb.com/hg/tellmeabout/stinging_nettles.html • http://www.mariquita.com/images/photogallery/n.html • http://trilogy.brynmawr.edu/mt/trinews/2007/06/stinkbugs.html • http://www.insects.org/entophiles/hemiptera/hemi_008.html • http://www.nps.gov/prsf/naturescience/california-buttercup.htm • http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/animalsAndPlants/noxious-weeds/weed-identification/creeping-buttercup.aspx

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