What is Nectar made of?

[Ciwan]

Hi guys

I was watching Life In The Undergrowth presented by the "God" of documentaries (Sir David Attenborough).

The part about insects taking to the air came up, and how most insects depended on Nectar from plants.

I was just wondering what is in this magical Nectar?

The name of the most abundant molecules found in Nectar would be a good place to start

Thanks Guys/Girls

[Ciwan]

why do I get the feeling that I'm being ignored?

Hellllooooo!! anyone!! Please help

What exactly is in Nectar ?

[mith]

it's sweet, so first guess would be fructose.

[Ciwan]

But...there are many sugars that are sweet!

[MrMistery]

I have not actually read this anywhere, but i am sure it must be sucrose that makes nectar sweet. Since sucrose is the glucose of plants. they use the stuff for everything. And sucrose synthase is such a key enzyme in plant metabolism.

[Ciwan]

Thanks Mistery, you're Ace man

[MrMistery]

i was wrong
"The various types of nectars can be ordered into three groups according to sugar content: sucrose prevalent, glucose and fructose prevalent, and equal amounts of sucrose, glucose, and fructose"

You can find the full composition of nectar here: http://www.bb.iastate.edu/necgex/Nectar.htm

[Ciwan]

See, I said you were Ace

Cheers man