Abstrait

A Brief Note on Terpenes

 Pravallika Bhukya

Terpenes are important biosynthetic building blocks as well. Steroids, for example, are triterpene squalene derivatives. Terpenes and terpenoids are also important components of the essential oils of many plants and flowers. Terpenes and terpenoids are important mediators of ecological interactions in plants. They, for example, aid in plant defence against herbivory, disease resistance, the attraction of mutualists such as pollinators, and possibly plant-plant communication. They appear to function as antifeedants. Terpenoids also modulate cell growth and plant elongation, as well as light harvesting and photo protection and membrane permeability and fluidity control.