Biosynthesis of Isoprenoids

Abstract

Terpene • Mankind has used terpenes that are extracted from plants for many different purposes-as fragrances and flavors, as pharmaceutical agents and as insecticides. • Aside from their immense commercial value, terpene products have important biological functions in plants.-Plant growth and development (e.g. gibberellin phytohormones)-Represent important tools in the various interactions of plants with the environment. • Volatile and non-volatile terpenes are implicated in the attraction of both pollinators and predators of herbivores, in protection against photooxidative stress, in mediating thermotolerance, and in direct defense against microbes and insects.