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Herbs, Foods, and Phytochemicals > herbs + chemicals > Flashcards

herbs + chemicals Flashcards

1
Q

Medicinal, ____, and ____ effects of herbs/plant foods are mostly due to _____

A

physiological; toxicological

plant chemicals

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2
Q

Define “natural products:”

A

chemical substances produced by living organisms in nature

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3
Q

What are phytochemicals?

A

chemicals made by plants

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4
Q

Chemicals in plants not immediately necessary to cell growth are known as:

A

secondary metabolites

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5
Q

secondary metabolites play roles in:

A

defense (mainly), reproduction, communication

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6
Q

What are differences between primary and secondary metabolites?

A

primary: essential for growth/reproduction/metabolism/structure
well defined, similar between species

secondary: not specifically required;
blurry classification; high variation

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7
Q

What chemical types are primary metabolites?

A

carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, DNA, plant hormones

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8
Q

What chemical types are secondary metabolites?

A

lignin, flavonoids, terpenes, alkaloids

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9
Q

What components are used to form secondary metabolites?

A

components from primary metabolites

AA, peptides, FA, mono and disaccharides, polysaccharides

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10
Q

True/False: essential oils are classified as lipids

A

False

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11
Q

How can secondary chemicals help in plant defense?

A

deter herbivores (or attract predators)
protect against infection
reduce environmental stress (UV, metals)

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12
Q

How can secondary chemicals help in plant reproduction?

A 
attract pollinators (pigments, pheromones)
better seed dispersal
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13
Q

Plants with biologically active compounds often taste ___.

A

bitter

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14
Q

What are the classes of secondary chemicals? (6)

A 
glucosinolates
alkaloids
terpenes
quinones
coumarins
phenolics
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15
Q

What plants contain glucosinolates?

A

mustard family

nasturtiums (Tropaeolum)

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16
Q

glucosinolates are known as: ____. Why?

A

mustard-oil glycosides

can be broken down to yield ISOTHIOCYANATE (mustard oil)

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17
Q

Alkaloids are ___ containing chemicals without ____

A

Nitrogen

sulfur atoms

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18
Q

Name some alkaloids:

A

morphine, nicotine, atrophine, quinine, strychnine, colchinine

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19
Q

Where is colchinine from and what is it used for?

A 
autumn crocus (colchicum autumnale)
treat gout, antiinflammatory, potential cancer drug?
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20
Q

What alkaloids do echinacea contain? What effects do they have?

A

pyrrolizidine alkaloids

immunostimulant

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21
Q

Caffeine is a ______ (type of compound)

A

xanthine alkaloid

22
Q

Terpenes are made of ___ units. The simplest terpenes are ______, with ___ carbons.

A

isoprenoid (5C)

monoterpenes, 10C

23
Q

terpenes with 3 isoprene units are called ____. Examples are:

A

sesquiterpenes
zingiberene (from ginger)
parthenolide (feverfew)

24
Q

Monoterpenes are common in the ___ family and the ___ family.

A

mint (lamiaceae)

carrot (apiaceae)

25
terpenes with 30 carbons are known as: ____. | What are some characteristics? (3)
triterpenes - highly variable structures - can be extensively modified - diverse biological activities
26
Some triterpenes have similar structures to mammalian ____. an example is _____.
hormones | beta-sitosterol (phytosterol)
27
3 examples of modified triterpenes:
phytosterols cardiac glycosides saponins
28
What is the structure of saponins?
triterpene + glycoside
29
What triterpene is found in birch, and what properties could it possibly have?
Betulinic acid | anti-cancer properties
30
What are cardiac glycosides? What is their structure?
triterpene that can alter rhythm of heart (potentially fatal) sugar (glycone) + steroid (aglycone) + R group
31
3 examples of cardiac glycosides and their sources:
digoxin (foxglove) oleandrin (oleander) phytolaccagenin (pokeweed)
32
True/False: carotenoids are terpenes
True; contain 8 isoprene units (40C)
33
Quinones are derived from _____ molecules such as _____
aromatic/cyclic | benzene
34
2 quinones essential to the human body are: | What are the roles of each?
``` vitamin K (phylloquinone) - for blood clotting coenzyme Q - redox reactions (e transfer, antioxidant) ```
35
common examples of anthroquinones: | What are these used for?
``` emodin (black buckthorn) sennoside B (senna plant) ``` stimulant laxative
36
What is an example of a polynuclear quinone? What is this compound used for?
hypericin (st john's wort) | possible antiviral/antibacterial effects; kinase inhibitor; treat mild depression
37
What is the structure of a coumarin?
2 rings C6 - C3 lactones of hydroxycinnamic acid
38
What is the structure of a furanocoumarin ?
coumarin + furan ring (C-C-O)
39
What family is rich in coumarins?
Apiaceae (carrot)
40
What are phenolic compounds?
aromatic benzene ring compounds with 1 or more hydroxyl groups
41
What are phenolic compounds usually synthesized from?
Phe -> cinnamic acid -> phenolics | Tyr -> p-coumaric acid -> phenolics
42
examples of phenolic types: (7)
``` benzoic acids coumarins stilbenes lignans lignin flavonoids tannins ```
43
What 2 pathways contribute the components to synthesize flavonoids? What is the basic structure?
shikimic acid pathway (create C6-C3) malonic acid pathway (C6) join together: 2 C6 rings connected by C3 bridge
44
What isoflavonol is found in soy? What is it known for? | What other plant contains similar compounds?
genistein phytoestrogen - treat menopause red clover also contains isoflavones
45
___ is a polyphenol very high in tea. It is commonly used in: _____.
ECGC | dietary supplements
46
What is the compound in cranberry associated with preventing UTIs?
A-type proanthocyanidins (a polyphenol)
47
What are the 2 types of tannins?
condensed | hydrolyzable
48
What are condensed tannins?
flavonoid polymers
49
What are hydrolyzable tannins?
phenolic acids bound to carbohydrate core | hydrolysis -> released
50
Tannins are found in ___, ____, and ___ leaves, and also ___ trees. What are they used for?
blackberry, blueberry, raspberry; oak | anti-diarrhea
51
How can tannins interact with proteins? This produces a ____ taste.
hydrogen bonds covalent bonds astringent

Herbs, Foods, and Phytochemicals (3 decks)

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