Monoterpene

A terpene built from two isoprene units, typically with ten carbon atoms. Monoterpenes occur widely in plants and contribute to essential oils, aromas, and ecological interactions.

Isoprene: A five-carbon hydrocarbon that serves as the basic structural unit of terpenes. Two isoprene units provide the carbon framework of a typical monoterpene.
Terpenoid biosynthesis: The set of metabolic pathways that produce terpenes and their chemically modified derivatives. Monoterpene production is one branch of this broader biosynthetic network.
Essential oil: A concentrated mixture of volatile compounds extracted from aromatic plants, often rich in terpenes. Monoterpenes commonly make up much of an essential oil's volatile fraction.
Plant defense against herbivory: The physical and chemical strategies plants use to reduce damage from animals that eat them. Some monoterpenes deter herbivores or help recruit their natural enemies.
Sesquiterpene: A terpene typically built from three isoprene units and containing fifteen carbon atoms. Its larger carbon skeleton contrasts with the usual ten-carbon monoterpene framework.
Terpene: A class of compounds assembled from isoprene-derived units, often found in plants and other organisms. Monoterpenes are the two-unit members of this broader compound family.
Methylerythritol phosphate pathway: A metabolic pathway that produces isoprenoid precursors in plastids of plants and many microorganisms. It supplies building blocks used to make many plant monoterpenes.
Limonene: A cyclic monoterpene found in citrus peels and used in fragrances, flavorings, and cleaning products. Its citrus scent and solvent properties make it a prominent commercial monoterpene.
Plant–insect interactions: Ecological relationships in which plants and insects affect one another through feeding, pollination, or chemical signals. Monoterpene odors can attract pollinators, repel insects, or signal plant condition.
Diterpene: A terpene typically built from four isoprene units and containing twenty carbon atoms. It provides a larger-unit comparison within the terpene family.

Linked from 13 pages