Methyl jasmonate is a plant-derived compound that blocks mosquito carbon dioxide receptors. What would you expect to happen if you applied this compound to your skin and then exposed yourself to a swarm of mosquitos?
A) The mosquitos would be repelled and fly as far away as possible from you.
B) The mosquitos would lack an important piece of sensory information for finding a host, and so would be less likely to bite you.
C) You would be a more attractive host for the mosquitos.
D) There would be no difference in the behavior of the mosquitos; they rely on visual cues to find their hosts.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Methyl jasmonate blocks mosquito carbon dioxide receptors, which mosquitos use to find hosts. By applying this compound to your skin, you would be less attractive to the mosquitos because they would lack an important sensory cue for finding a host. Therefore, they would be less likely to bite you. Option A is incorrect because mosquitos are not likely to fly away from the presence of the compound, but rather be deterred from biting. Option C is incorrect because applying the compound would make you less attractive to mosquitos, not more attractive. Option D is incorrect because mosquitos primarily use carbon dioxide receptors to find their hosts, rather than visual cues.

Methyl Jasmonate Is a Plant-Derived Compound That Blocks Mosquito Carbon