【英语时差8,16】花的力量

 The natural fragrance¹ of flowers counts among the simpler pleasures in life. The delicate aroma² of a rose in bloom is something that does not require explanation; we enjoy it simply and intuitively. In fact, to explain in scientific terms just what accounts for a flower's fragrant³ smell might sort of ruin the experience. But we're gonna do it anyway.  A flower's unique smell results from a combination of chemicals, including a large family of molecules⁴ called terpenes. Many terpene molecules produced by plants are volatile⁵, which means that we can smell them. For example, volatile terpenes contribute to the aroma of lemons, mint, and turpentine. Many flowers produce specific mixtures of volatile terpenes to produce their specific odors.

Although these odiferous chemicals were originally only by-products of photosynthesis⁶, through mutation⁷ and evolution they came to play an important role in pollination⁸. A mutated gene⁹ causing a particular flower to produce a scent¹⁰ might give that flower a reproductive advantage by attracting insects necessary for pollination. Over time certain species of flowers developed unique smells to attract particular insects. For example, sweet-smelling flowers such as roses are engineered to attract butterflies. Some flowers even smell like rotting flesh in order to attract flies--not exactly the best choice for a corsage.

Maybe knowing something about the science behind flower fragrance will make the experience even more pleasurable. If not, clear your mind, inhale¹¹, and simply enjoy.  

1 fragrance   

n.芬芳，香味，香气

参考例句：

• The apple blossoms filled the air with their fragrance.苹果花使空气充满香味。
• The fragrance of lavender filled the room.房间里充满了薰衣草的香味。

2 aroma   

n.香气，芬芳，芳香

参考例句：

• The whole house was filled with the aroma of coffee.满屋子都是咖啡的香味。
• The air was heavy with the aroma of the paddy fields.稻花飘香。

3 fragrant   

adj.芬香的，馥郁的，愉快的

参考例句：

• The Fragrant Hills are exceptionally beautiful in late autumn.深秋的香山格外美丽。
• The air was fragrant with lavender.空气中弥漫薰衣草香。

4 molecules   

分子( molecule的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The structure of molecules can be seen under an electron microscope. 分子的结构可在电子显微镜下观察到。
• Inside the reactor the large molecules are cracked into smaller molecules. 在反应堆里，大分子裂变为小分子。

5 volatile   

adj.反复无常的，挥发性的，稍纵即逝的，脾气火爆的；n.挥发性物质

参考例句：

• With the markets being so volatile,investments are at great risk.由于市场那么变化不定，投资冒着很大的风险。
• His character was weak and volatile.他这个人意志薄弱，喜怒无常。

6 photosynthesis   

n.光合作用

参考例句：

• In apple trees photosynthesis occurs almost exclusively in the leaves.苹果树的光合作用几乎只发生在叶内。
• Chloroplasts are the structures in which photosynthesis happens.叶绿体就是光合作用发生的地方。

7 mutation   

n.变化，变异，转变

参考例句：

• People who have this mutation need less sleep than others.有这种突变的人需要的睡眠比其他人少。
• So far the discussion has centered entirely around mutation in the strict sense.到目前为止，严格来讲，讨论完全集中于围绕突变问题上。

8 pollination   

n.授粉

参考例句：

• The flowers get pollination by insects.这些花通过昆虫授粉。
• Without sufficient pollination,the growth of the corn is stunted.没有得到充足的授粉，谷物的长势就会受阻。

9 gene   

n.遗传因子，基因

参考例句：

• A single gene may have many effects.单一基因可能具有很多种效应。
• The targeting of gene therapy has been paid close attention.其中基因治疗的靶向性是值得密切关注的问题之一。

10 scent   

n.气味，香味，香水，线索，嗅觉；v.嗅，发觉

参考例句：

• The air was filled with the scent of lilac.空气中弥漫着丁香花的芬芳。
• The flowers give off a heady scent at night.这些花晚上散发出醉人的芳香。

11 inhale   

v.吸入(气体等)，吸(烟)

参考例句：

• Don't inhale dust into your lung.别把灰尘吸进肺里。
• They are pleased to not inhale second hand smoke.他们很高兴他们再也不会吸到二手烟了。