Voodoo lilies depend on carrion beetles for pollination. Carrion beetles are attracted to dead animals, and because dead and putrefying animals give off the horrible-smelling amine cadaverine, the lily likewise releases cadaverine (and the closely related compound putrescine, page 1087). A biological catalyst, an enzyme, converts the naturally occurring amino acid lysine to cadaverine.

What group of atoms must be replaced in lysine to make cadaverine? (Lysine is essential to human nutrition but is not synthesized in the human body.)

Data given on Page 1087

Amines usually have offensive odors. You know what the odor is if you have ever smelled decaying fish. Two appropriately named amines, putrescine and cadaverine, add to the odor of urine, rotten meat, and bad breath.

Transcribed Image Text:

H H₂NCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂-C-NH₂ Lysine C-OH U=O 0