Which is NOT a possible scent for terpenes?

Which is NOT a possible scent for terpenes?

• A. Green Onion
• B. Floral
• C. Citrus
• D. Woody

Answer: (A)

Terpenes are responsible for many familiar plant aromas and are built from isoprene units, giving rise to scents we often label as floral, citrus, or woody. The scents described as floral, citrus, and woody are common terpene notes (think of linalool for floral, limonene for citrus, and pinene for woodsy scents). The onion-like smell of green onion comes from sulfur-containing compounds produced by alliums, not from terpenes. Since those sulfur compounds carry the characteristic onion note instead of a terpene-based aroma, green onion is the scent that isn’t produced by terpenes.

Terpenes are responsible for many familiar plant aromas and are built from isoprene units, giving rise to scents we often label as floral, citrus, or woody. The scents described as floral, citrus, and woody are common terpene notes (think of linalool for floral, limonene for citrus, and pinene for woodsy scents). The onion-like smell of green onion comes from sulfur-containing compounds produced by alliums, not from terpenes. Since those sulfur compounds carry the characteristic onion note instead of a terpene-based aroma, green onion is the scent that isn’t produced by terpenes.