TOEFL Listening

🎧 Listening Transcript

Listen to part of a lecture in a biology class. The professor is discussing animal communication. Professor: Today, we're going to talk about how animals communicate, but not just through sound or visual signals. I want to focus on chemical communication, specifically pheromones. Now, many of you might think of pheromones primarily in the context of attracting mates, and that's certainly important. But pheromones serve a broader range of functions. For example, in social insects like ants and bees, pheromones are crucial for coordinating colony activities. They can signal alarm, mark trails to food sources, and even regulate reproductive roles within the hive. Interestingly, pheromones can also influence the behavior of mammals, including humans, though the effects are more subtle and complex. In some species, pheromones play a role in mother-offspring bonding, helping newborns recognize their mothers. So, as you can see, chemical signals are a versatile and ancient form of communication, predating many other forms of signaling in evolutionary history.