Terpenes
Terpene volatile oils can be irritating to the skin. They are sub-grouped according to the number of carbon atoms they contain. Monoterpenes, including menthol, camphor, and thujone, contain 10 carbon atoms. Sesquiterpenes such as azulenes and bisabolol contain 15 carbon atoms. Terpenes with 20,30, and 40 molecules are rare in plants. the 30 and 40 molecule terpenes are plant steroids and hormones. the suffix -ene generally indicates a member of this group.
- terpenes (hydrocarbons resulting from several isoprene units, C5H8, synthesized in the cytoplasm of plant cells)
- terpenoids (terpenes that undergo enzymatic biochemical modification through incorporation of oxygen molecules and manipulating methyl groups)
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Terpenes: the most common language in the world
