Alkaloids

Question 1

why are they used?

Answer 1

possess strong pharmacological activity

Question 2

drugs of abuse are alkaloid

Answer 2

cocaine lsd nicotine

Question 3

occurrence of alkaloid

Answer 3

occur naturally, plants fungi animals produce them
toxic bitter tasting

Question 4

senecionine

Answer 4

found in high concs
toxic to number of mammals
hepatotoxic, straight to liver - cirrhosis

Question 5

nicotine

Answer 5

secondary metabolite of various plants, high conc in tobacco plants
toxic to insects
insecticide

Question 6

alkaloids found in animals

Answer 6

puffer fish, tetrodotoxin
golden poison frog, multiple diff alks incl batrachotoxin

Question 7

structure of alkaloids

Answer 7

contain nitrogen, usually in a heterocyclic ring
basic in nature, form salts with acids e.g. morphine hydrochloride

Question 8

quinioline alkaloids

Answer 8

quinine, derivatives of quinine are used as anti-malarials
chloroquine,
mefloquine

Question 9

examples of isoquinoline alkaloids

Answer 9

paverine
morphine
thebaine
codeine