Final answer:
Pheromone glands produce pheromones, chemical signals that affect the behaviors or physiology of others within the same species, playing roles in attraction, repulsion, and various social behaviors. Pheromones are processed by the vomeronasal organ and affect the brain's amygdala and hypothalamus.
Step-by-step explanation:
Pheromone glands produce pheromones, which are chemical signals that significantly influence the behavior or physiology of other individuals within the same species. For instance, male moths have antennae that can detect pheromones of female moths over several miles, demonstrating the potent effect of these chemical messengers. Pheromones released by animals may serve various purposes, such as attracting potential mates, repelling competitors, fostering mother-infant bonds, influencing reproductive cycles, and in some cases, even syncing menstrual cycles in humans.
The pathways of pheromone detection involve the pheromones being dissolved and entering receptors in the vomeronasal organ (VNO). From there, signals are sent to the brain's amygdala and hypothalamus, areas that are crucial for reproductive behavior and physiology. Although the VNO's functionality in humans is debated, it's recognized as significant in many nonhuman species.