Smell You Later: World's Most Spoken Language Is...'Terpene'
If you’re small, smells are a good way to stand out. A team of researchers led by the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) has demonstrated for the first time that two different types of micro-organisms — bacteria and fungi — use fragrances, known as terpenes, to hold conversations. And that’s not all. “We actually believe that terpenes are the most popular chemical medium on our planet to communicate through.”
The most used language in the world? Think again, it’s probably ‘Terpene’! Research by microbial ecologists from NIOO and their colleagues has demonstrated that two very different groups of micro-organisms use fragrances to communicate with each other, the most common type being terpenes.
The ability of bacteria and fungi to communicate with each other is a remarkable aspect of the microbial world.
In only one gram of soil billions of micro-organisms are thriving, so that makes many ‘speakers’. On top of that: this ‘chemical communication’ will probably work for a whole bunch of other life forms as well. This is what the research team discovers in Scientific Reports, a relatively new journal from the Nature family.
Having a good conversation: Soil fungus Fusarium and the unrelated soil bacteria.
Credit: 21 Lux photography/Heike Engel
A firm conversation
The researchers have demonstrated that bacteria and fungi do in fact respond to each other. In other words: they can hold conversations. Group leader Paolina Garbeva explains: “Serratia, a soil bacterium, can ‘smell’ the fragrant terpenes produced by Fusarium, a plant pathogenic fungus. It responds by becoming motile and producing a terpene of its own.”
The researchers established this by studying which genes were switched ‘on’ by the bacterium, which proteins it began to produce and which fragrance. Or, in more fancy terms: by using transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolomic techniques. “Such fragrances — or volatile organic compounds — are not just some waste product, they are instruments targeted specifically at long-distance communication between these minute fungi and bacteria.”
But how widespread is this ‘language of smells’? Pathogenic soil fungi such as Fusarium also have an effect aboveground, where they make plants sick. Can they communicate with those plants? Garbeva: “We have known for some time that plants and insects use terpenes to communicate with each other. But we’ve only just begun to realise that it’s actually much wider. There is a much larger group of ‘Terpene-speakers’: micro-organisms.”
Fungi, protists, bacteria, and even higher animals. Terpenes act as pheromones — chemical signals used by animals — which makes them a regular ingredient of perfumes. So it’s likely that the language of terpenes forms a vast chemical communications network indeed.
Multilingual
Terpenes are by no means the only volatile organic compounds that are in for a good chat. The researchers found others as well: in the soil, for instance. Garbeva’s PhD student Ruth Schmidt, the first author of the article, adds: “Organisms are multilingual, but ‘Terpene’ is the one that’s used most often.”
Who knows, maybe without realising it we are native speakers too?
Froukje Rienks
Source: http://www.ineffableisland.com/2017/04/smell-you-later-worlds-most-spoken.html
Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.
"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
Please Help Support BeforeitsNews by trying our Natural Health Products below!
Order by Phone at 888-809-8385 or online at https://mitocopper.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST
Order by Phone at 866-388-7003 or online at https://www.herbanomic.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST
Order by Phone at 866-388-7003 or online at https://www.herbanomics.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST
Humic & Fulvic Trace Minerals Complex - Nature's most important supplement! Vivid Dreams again!
HNEX HydroNano EXtracellular Water - Improve immune system health and reduce inflammation.
Ultimate Clinical Potency Curcumin - Natural pain relief, reduce inflammation and so much more.
MitoCopper - Bioavailable Copper destroys pathogens and gives you more energy. (See Blood Video)
Oxy Powder - Natural Colon Cleanser! Cleans out toxic buildup with oxygen!
Nascent Iodine - Promotes detoxification, mental focus and thyroid health.
Smart Meter Cover - Reduces Smart Meter radiation by 96%! (See Video).
So how do you say “go fuck yourself ” in Terpene?