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烯。

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

一些萜烯被用于进行内交流，这样的萜烯我们称之为信息素。

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

但是研究者已经发现了似乎更像是用萜烯进行真实的交流。

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

我说的是萜烯——一多用途的可以用于内和间沟通交流的化合物。

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

分子想要成为萜烯，只需要有正确的结构就可以了。

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

植物甚至能通过萜烯传递求救的化学信息。

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推出了两含有萜烯的饮料，萜烯是一与大麻相互作用的化合物。

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烯会挥发——意思就是说，它们很容易就蒸发掉了。

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

比如许多有香味的花朵，使用萜烯来吸引传粉者。

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

一些萜烯用于在同一物内进行交流，在这情况下，我们称它们为信息素。

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类。

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

“佛波醇”指的是一列相关的有两个萜烯化学基的有机分子。

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.

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

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

我说的是萜烯——一类多用途化合物，可用于在物内和物间进行交流。

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烯化合物，不是一两，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信号，我们可以使用萜烯来发出自己的指令。

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

原生生物便可辨识出萜烯的发送者。

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

但是因为萜烯非常多样，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。

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，萜烯可以具有许多不同的生物学功能——比如维生素、激素或免疫统的一部分。

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

萜烯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。