Dill scent

The fourth area in which we have introduced students to computational chemistry at the first year level is in the field of molecular model building and molecular mechanics. We provide exercises in which the student is required to build and optimize the molecular structure of water and of dimethyl ether using the MM2 force field. Students compare the bond angles around the O atom in the two cases and examine wire frame, ball and stick, and CPK models of the molecules. They also explore the stereoisomers of carvone. One of these stereoisomers has dill scent and the other spearmint. Samples of the two isomers are available in the laboratory where the students do the molecular modeling. 

Kats, L. B. and Dill, L. M. (1998) The scent of death chemosensory assessment of predation risk by prey animals. Ecosci. 5, 361-394. 

Dill, India Elemi Eucalyptus Eucalyptus, lemon-scented Fennel bitter... 

A similar laboratory assay was used to determine the effects of predator presence on activity levels and intraspecific aggression in salmon (Martel Dill 1993). Treatments included water scented with conspecifics by holding fish in a 1-L tank of filtered water for 30 min, and predator water prepared similarly... 

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