Final answer:
Pheromones are chemical signals that elicit specific behaviors or physiological responses in members of the same species, and are not consciously perceived as traditional odors are. Correct option is (C).
Step-by-step explanation:
From the perspective of the recipient of the signal, pheromones differ from other odorants in that they trigger specific behavioral or physiological responses in the receiving organism. This is because pheromones are chemical signals released by an animal that affect the behavior or physiology of animals of the same species.
For example, they can be attractants to potential mates, repellents to competitors, or play roles in mother-infant attachment. They are not consciously perceived in the same way as other odors and can be released in various forms such as urine or glandular secretions. In contrast to other odorants, which may trigger a more general sensory response, pheromones elicit specific and often instinctual reactions within their species.
A pheromone is a secreted chemical signal used to obtain a response from another individual of the same species. Pheromones are especially common among social insects, but they are used by many species to attract the opposite sex, to sound alarms, to mark food trails, and to elicit other, more complex behaviors.
Even humans are thought to respond to certain pheromones called axillary steroids. These chemicals influence human perception of other people, and in one study were responsible for a group of women synchronizing their menstrual cycles. The role of pheromones in human-to-human communication is still somewhat controversial and continues to be researched.