Chemical ecology is the study of the chemicals involved in the interactions of living organisms. It focuses on the production of and response to signaling molecules, toxins, and other organic compounds. Chemical ecology is of particular importance among ants and other social insects--including bees, wasps, and termites--as a means of communication essential to social organization. In addition, this area of ecology deals with studies involving defensive chemicals which are utilized to deter potential predators, which may attack a wide variety of species.

Related fields

• Analytical chemistry
• Biochemistry
• Ecology
• Genetics
• Organic chemistry
• Ethology

External links

• Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences supplement: Chemical Communication in a Post-Genomic World