Chemistry of sex

Scientists in fields ranging from anthropology to neuroscience have been asking this same question albeit less eloquently for decades. It turns out the science behind love is both simpler and more complex than we might think. What we do know, however, is that much of love can be explained by chemistry. Think of the last time you ran into someone you find attractive.

Subscriber Account active since. We've all been there. They're sitting across from you looking you deep in the eyes, head slightly turned sideways, with the corner of their mouth curled into a smirk. You say something funny not that funny , and they laugh all too easily.

And what does it mean to have chemistry anyway? But there are chemical components to the sexual chemistry equation. Get it? In a simple graphic , created by Tito Adhikary, the categories of love, lust, and attraction are paired with the hormones that contribute to each.

The chemical communication system used to attract mates involves not only the overt chemical signals but also indirectly a great deal of chemistry in the emitter and receiver. As an example, in emitting female moths, this includes enzymes and cofactors, mRNA, genes of the pheromone biosynthetic pathways, hormones and genes involved in controlling pheromone production, receptors and second messengers for the hormones, and host plant cues that control release of the hormone. In receiving male moths, this includes the chemistry of pheromone transportation in antennal olfactory hairs binding proteins and sensillar esterases and the chemistry of signal transduction, which includes specific dendritic pheromone receptors and a rapid inositol triphosphate second messenger signal. A fluctuating plume structure is an integral part of the signal since the antennal receptors need intermittent stimulation to sustain upwind flight.