Why flowers smell? what's the reason?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the reasons why flowers produce scents, focusing on the mechanisms behind floral fragrance and its role in attracting pollinators. Participants explore both the biological and chemical aspects of flower scents.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that flowers emit scents primarily to attract insects for pollination.
  • Others inquire about the specific causes of the scents, seeking a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanisms.
  • A later reply explains that the fragrance is produced in the petals through epidermal cells that create various types of fragrant oils, known as essential oils, and notes the chemical complexity of floral scents.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that the primary function of floral scents is related to pollination, but the specific mechanisms and chemical processes remain a topic of inquiry and exploration.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes references to the complexity of floral scents and the specific types of chemicals involved, but does not resolve the detailed biochemical pathways or the variations among different flower species.

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why some of them smell? what's the reason?
 
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En_lizard said:
why some of them smell? what's the reason?
To attract insects, for pollination.
 
I mean how? what cause the smell?
 
Cause of the fragrance in flowers...

Scent in flowers is most usually produced in the petals. On the petals’ surface is a layer of cells, called epidermal cells. In these cells various types of fragrant oil are made, commonly known as 'essential oils'. The scent of each flower is chemically quite complex: for example, the clove scent of pinks is made up of about 60 different chemicals.
excerpt from http://www.millsfarmplants.co.uk/Scented_plants.htm
 
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