We might even be able to genetically engineer plants or microorganisms to produce these terpenes.

我们也许可以对植物或微生物进行基因改造来生产这些萜。

All a molecule has to do to be considered a terpene is have the right structure.

分子想要成为萜，只需要有正确的结构就可以。

In April Ichitan, Thailand's biggest teamaker, launched two drinks infused with terpene, a compound responsible for cannabis's pong.

今年4月，泰国最大的饮品制造商Ichitan推种含有萜的饮料，萜是一种与大麻相互作用的化合物。

Some terpenes are used to communicate within the same species, in which case we'd call them a pheromone.

一些萜被用于进行种内交流，这样的萜我们称之为信息素。

But researchers have seen what appears to be more of an actual conversation using terpenes.

但是研究者现似乎更像是用萜进行真实的交流。

I'm talking about terpenes—a multipurpose class of chemical compounds that can be used to communicate both within and across species.

我说的是萜——一种多用途的可以用于种内和种间沟通交流的化合物。

Plants can even use terpenes as a chemical cry for help.

植物甚至能通过萜传递求救的化学信息。

One reason these smells are strong is that terpenes tend to be volatile, meaning that they evaporate easily.

这些气味浓重的一个原因是萜会挥——意思就是说，它们很容易就蒸掉。

Lots of sweet-smelling flowers, for instance, use terpenes to attract pollinators.

比如许多有香味的花朵，使用萜来吸引传粉者。

Based on the specific chemicals detected, the protist can identify the terpene sender’s species.

根据检测到的特定化学物质，原生生物可以识别萜类化合物的种类。

Some terpenes are used to communicate within the same species, in which case we’d call them a pheromone.

一些萜用于在同一物种内进行交流，在这种情况下，我们称它们为信息素。

“Phorbol” refers to a family of related organic molecules that have two terpene chemical groups.

“佛波醇”指的是一系列相关的有个萜化学基的有机分子。

Based on the specific chemicals detected, the protist can identify the terpene sender's species.

原生生物便可辨识萜的送者。

I’m talking about terpenes — a multipurpose class of chemical compounds that can be used to communicate both within and across species.

我说的是萜——一类多用途化合物，可用于在物种内和物种间进行交流。

Because it's so broad a label, terpenes can have lots of different biological functions—like as vitamins, hormones, or part of the immune system.

因为萜包罗广泛，因此它们有多种不同的生物学功能——比如说维生素、激素或者是作为免疫系统的一部分。

Most organisms produce complex mixtures of terpenes, not just one or two, which allows for a wider vocabulary and a more complex conversation.

大多数有机体都会产生萜化合物，不是一种，这就能够支持更广的词汇和更复杂的沟通。

So, if scientists can work out how the different molecules signal different species, we can use terpenes to issue our own orders.

如果科学家能够搞清楚不同分子指示何种信号，我们可以使用萜来自己的指令。

Because it’s so broad a label, terpenes can have lots of different biological functions — like as vitamins, hormones, or part of the immune system.

因为它是一个如此广泛的标签，萜可以具有许多不同的生物学功能——比如维生素、激素或免疫系统的一部分。

But because terpenes are so diverse, some can be used to send information between entirely different kingdoms. Kingdoms of life, I mean.

但是因为萜非常多样，其中一些也可用于在整个动物界传递信息，这里说的是生物上的界。

Terpenes aren't the only kinds of molecules species use to communicate with each other, but they are some of the most common.

萜不是生物间彼此交流的唯一分子，但却是使用最为普遍的一种。