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Emitters
and Receptors
Reference chapter
Question
2
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The chemical which the female silkmoth (Bombyx) produces
to attract male silkmoths was identified in 1960. This chemical is called
bombycol. A small amount of bombycol was taken from a group of female
silkmoths and the following experiment was carried out.
A female silkmoth was
placed in a transparent, air-tight box. The box was placed on a
table. On the same table was placed a dish containing a piece of
filter paper. The filter paper had been soaked in bombycol.
When a male silkmoth was released into the room he ignored the
female silkmoth and attempted to mate with the filter paper! |
Answer the following questions
| (a) Explain
why the male silkmoth ignored the female silkmoth. |
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(b) Which of the senses are not
used by the male silkmoth to find the female silkmoth? Give
reasons for your answer, using the results of the experiment.
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(c) Why was the male silkmoth more
attracted to the filter paper?
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(d) Which parts of the male silkmoth
are receptive to bombycol?
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©
Paul Billiet & Shirley Burchill 2013
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