Mastery Check
SECTION 1 — Sensory Identification (Foundational)
1. Match the sensory quality to its most likely chemical class.
| Sensory Quality | Likely Chemistry |
|---|---|
| A. Bitter | 3. Sesquiterpene lactones |
| B. Aromatic | 1. Monoterpenes |
| C. Astringent | 2. Tannins |
| D. Cooling | 4. Menthols |
Correct Pairings:
A → 3
B → 1
C → 2
D → 4
2. Which sensation most strongly suggests volatile oils?
Answer: b. Cooling, aromatic, opening
3. A warming, pungent herb most likely contains:
Answer: b. Gingerols/shogaols
SECTION 2 — Chemistry → Ecology (Intermediate)
4. Match the chemical class to the ecological strategy.
| Chemistry | Ecological Strategy |
|---|---|
| A. Tannins | 2. Wound sealing & protection |
| B. Monoterpenes | 3. Aromatic antimicrobial defense |
| C. Gingerols | 1. Anti-herbivory via pungency |
| D. Sesquiterpene lactones | 4. Bitter deterrence |
Correct Pairings:
A → 2
B → 3
C → 1
D → 4
5. Strong floral volatiles most likely indicate:
Answer: a. Pollinator attraction
6. High resin content indicates:
Answer: b. Structural defense + antimicrobial sealing
SECTION 3 — Pattern Recognition Across Plant Families (Applied)
7. Aromatic, cooling, monoterpene-rich herbs belong to:
Answer: a. Lamiaceae
8. Bitter + aromatic + Asteraceae suggests:
Answer: b. Sesquiterpene lactones
9. Families most associated with strong volatile oils:
Answer: a. Lamiaceae & Apiaceae
SECTION 4 — Sensory-Ecological Mapping (Integration)
10. Cooling + aromatic + minty top note → dominant strategy:
Answer: b. Aromatic antimicrobial defense
11. Warming, pungent, circulatory stimulant → ecological pattern:
Answer: b. Chemical deterrence (anti-herbivory)
12. Floral, cooling, astringent, tannin-rich → strategy:
Answer: a. Wound sealing + pollinator signaling
SECTION 5 — Formulation Logic (Synthesis)
13. Digestive formula for someone hot, irritated, tense:
Answer: c. Peppermint
(Cooling, antispasmodic, soothing.)
14. Add a warming circulatory driver to a cold, stagnant formula:
Answer: b. Ginger
15. Cooling, astringent, heart-softening herb:
Answer: b. Rose
SECTION 6 — Short Reflection (Embodied Understanding)
16. Example of a correct Sensory → Chemistry → Ecology → Action chain
Here are a few model answers learners might produce:
- Peppermint:
Cooling + aromatic → monoterpenes/menthols → antimicrobial defense → carminative + decongestant → top note to open the blend.
- Ginger:
Pungent + warming → gingerols/shogaols → anti-herbivory → circulatory stimulant → warming driver in cold formulas.
- Chamomile:
Bitter‑sweet + floral → sesquiterpene lactones + azulenes → bitter deterrence + soothing repair → nervine + antispasmodic → middle note to soften blends.
- Rose:
Cooling + astringent + floral → tannins + volatile oils → wound sealing + pollinator signaling → cooling astringent + emotional softener → heart note for emotional balance.
- Rosemary:
Resinous + camphoraceous → monoterpenes + phenols → aromatic antimicrobial defense → stimulant + antimicrobial → clarifying top/middle note.