Alkaloids

Question 1

What class of secondary metabolites are alkaloids?

Answer 1

Nitrogen Containing compounds

Question 2

What are alkaloids originally known for?

Answer 2

The drug that brings oblivion

Question 3

What are alkaloids used for in plants?

Answer 3

• Protective
• Detoxification
• Source of nitrogen
• Mainly found in higher plants

Question 4

What are the pharmacological actives of alkaloids?

Answer 4

• Analgesic
• Antimalarial
• Antispasmodic
• CNS stimulants
• hypertension

Question 5

How can alkaloids be classified?

Answer 5

• Taxonomic
• Biosynthetic pathway (Precursor)
• Pharmacological based
  Chemical-based

Question 6

What are the three chemical-based classes of alkaloids?

Answer 6

True (Herterocyclic), Proto (Non-heterocyclic), Psuedo (Heterocyclic - no amino acid precourser)

Question 7

What are the alkoloid properties?

Answer 7

State - Crystalline/amorphous solid, generally volitile
Colourless
Solubility - Water-insoluble, soluble in organic solvents
Isomerism
Taste - Bitter

Question 8

What tests can be done for alkaloids? (6)

Answer 8

Mayner’s, Wagner’s, Hager’s, Dragendorff’s, Murexidine test, Thalloequin test

Question 9

What is the Tropane Skeleton?

Answer 9

Comes from Solanace family, bicyclic N ring, used as a sedative, pupil dilation, and antispasmodic