It has been observed in male rodents that the vomeronasal organ, which contains receptor sensory cells, detects pheromones from females. This sends axons to the olfactory bulb in the brain. These neurons launch to the medial amygdala, which circulates testosterone to maintain a masculine function during copulation. This sends axons to the mPOA, which merges all of this information to lead to ejaculation. 

Male Copulatory Circuitry in Rodents

One specific instance where pheromones are seen to communicate between individuals of the same sex is in elephants. During the elephant's mating season, males emit a liquid pheromone behind their eyes that has a distinctive smell. This certain pheromone displays a lower rank, which helps them avoid superior "mature-smelling" males, and therefore avoid fights. 

Communication between individuals of the same sex

This is a highly specialized system that detects pheromones and sends the information to the brain. This system is found in most terrestrial mammals. 

Vomeronasal system

These are receptors produced in the olfactory epithelium, and are possible pheromone receptors.

Trace amine-associated receptors (TAARs) 

Pheromones Reference Library

Pheromones are not a regular hormone, they are considered ectohormones because they are secreted outside of the body and they influence another individual's behavior. 

Ectohormone

1. Releaser
2. Primer
3. Signaler
4. Modulator

Types of Pheromones

In certain species like rats, pheromonal signals play a critical role in mating behaviors. For instance, a female rat prepared to reproduce will release pheromones to draw the attention of nearby males. This pheromonal activation is an important factor in triggering sexual behavior in the male rat.

Pheromonal Communication in Rats

While pheromonal communication is well-documented in many animals, the role and existence of pheromones in humans remain a subject of significant scientific research and ongoing controversy.

Research and Controversy on Human Pheromones

Analyze the following scenario and identify the specific type of chemical communication being used. Justify your answer by explaining how the elements of the scenario fit the definition of this communication type.

Analyzing Animal Communication

Pheromones are specialized chemical messages secreted by an individual to communicate with other members of the same species. This type of communication is often utilized to broadcast a potential mate's reproductive status.

Google

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

University of California, Davis

- Reproductive behavior regulation
- Pheromones
- Parental care

Focuses of Sexual Behavior

The sensory modalities of taste (gustation) and smell (olfaction) are classified as chemical senses. This categorization is due to the fact that they rely on specialized sensory receptors designed to detect and respond to specific molecules present in the food consumed and the air inhaled.

Chemical Senses

Breedlove, S. & Watson, N. (2017). Behavioral neuroscience, eighth edition. Oxford University Press.

Behavioral Neuroscience 8th Edition

Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020, April 22). Psychology (2nd ed.). OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/1-introduction

OpenStax Psychology (2nd ed.) Textbook

Reproductive behavior has four main stages: 
- Sexual attraction
- Appetitive behavior
- Copulation
- Postcopulatory behavior

Reproductive Behavior

Pheromones

Behavior that follows copulation and is necessary for raising offspring. Very important for humans because our newborns are considered altricial, meaning  we are not born with high level motor and sensory skills. 

Parental Care and Behavior

Gustation (also known as "taste") is a chemical sense that allows individuals to sense and perceive five major flavors: sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami.

Gustation (Taste)

Flavor is the sensory experience that results from the pronounced interaction between our chemical senses. When describing the flavor of a food, it refers to the combined effect of both its gustatory (taste) and olfactory (smell) properties working together, rather than relying on taste alone.

Flavor as a Combination of Taste and Smell

Based on the provided case study and your understanding of how different senses operate, explain the most likely reason for the patient's specific pattern of sensory loss.

Learn Before

Related

Learn After