Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Optimizing the Use of a Liquid Handling Robot to Conduct a High Throughput Forward Chemical Genetics Screen of Arabidopsis thaliana
Published on: April 30, 2018
What is a plant chemotype, anyway?
Caroline Müller1, Thomas Dussarrat2, Nicole M van Dam3
1Chemical Ecology, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstr. 25, Bielefeld 33615, Germany; Joint Institute for Individualisation in a Changing Environment (JICE), University of Münster and Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany.
Abstract:
Many plant species exhibit chemical polymorphisms in the composition of specialized metabolites belonging to certain chemical families. This has led to the classification of chemotypes, that is, groups of plants that can be distinguished by their chemical profiles of metabolites within a single chemical family. We present existing definitions and approaches for classifying chemotypes and describe the factors that determine them. We argue that it should always be stated explicitly on which organ the chemotype specification is based on, because chemical profiles can differ among organs. Moreover, the chemical family must be stated explicitly, as plants may be grouped differently when other metabolites are taken into account. We argue that gaining more knowledge about chemotypes is highly relevant to both basic and applied science.
Related Concept Videos
Plant Hormones
Plant Hormones
Morphogenesis
Photoreceptors and Plant Responses to Light
Biological Clocks and Seasonal Responses
Plant Breeding and Biotechnology

