Plant Physiology: V. Plants: Economic Importance

Total Questions: 60

41. Quinine, the effective medicine in the treatment of malaria, is extracted from: [U.P. P.C.S. (Pre) 2016]

(a) Bark of Cinnamon
(b) Bark of Cinchona
(c) Leaves of Ocimum
(d) Bark of Acacia Catechu

Correct Answer: (b) Bark of Cinchona

Solution:Quinine is a major drug used to treat malaria. Quinine is extracted from the bark of cinchona tree. It is an angiosperm plant. Quinine is a white crystalline alkaloid and bitter in taste. It is also used in the treatment of arthritis and prion- related disease.

The tree is named after a village about 70 km south of Guwahati, on the highway to Meghalaya capital Shillong.

The cinchona nursery was raised in the 19th century, probably around 1874, when Shillong became the British administrative headquarters for Assam Province.

Large swathes of Meghalaya used to be, and still are, malaria-prone.
The British had the foresight to start the plantation to combat malaria and other diseases caused by mosquitoes.

42. Quinine, used to treat malaria, is obtained from which plant’s part? [Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2002]

(a) Leaf
(b) Root
(c) Bark
(d) Flower

Correct Answer: (c) Bark

The tree is named after a village about 70 km south of Guwahati, on the highway to Meghalaya capital Shillong.

The cinchona nursery was raised in the 19th century, probably around 1874, when Shillong became the British administrative headquarters for Assam Province.

Large swathes of Meghalaya used to be, and still are, malaria-prone.
The British had the foresight to start the plantation to combat malaria and other diseases caused by mosquitoes.

43. In which part of the cinchona plant quinine occurs naturally? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) (Re. Exam) 2015]

(a) Root
(b) Fruit
(c) Seed
(d) Bark

Correct Answer: (d) Bark

44. The Arteether medicine which is used to cure malaria is obtained from - [U.P. P.C.S. (Pre) 2005]

(a) Seeded plant
(b) Fungus
(c) Bacteria
(d) Algae

Correct Answer: (a) Seeded plant

Solution:The Arteether medicine which is used to cure malaria is obtained from a seeded plant, Artemisia annua. Chloroquine, atovaquone, barium, and paludrine medicines are also used to cure malaria. It is notable that malaria is caused by the Plasmodium parasite. The parasite can be spread to humans through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.

45. The drug obtained from the bark of cinchona was used for treating malaria. The synthetic drug which replaced the natural product is: [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2000]

(a) Chloromycetin
(b) Chloroquine
(c) Tetracycline
(d) Ampicillin

Correct Answer: (b) Chloroquine

Solution:Quinine occurs naturally from the bark of the cinchona trec and was used in the treatment of malaria but now it is substituted by Chloroquine. It is a synthetic drug used to kill sensitive malaria parasites.

Chloroquine offers several advantages over quinine, including its higher efficacy and better tolerability. Both quinine and chloroquine are believed to work by interfering with the digestion of hemoglobin by malaria parasites, which is a crucial part of their life cycle. While quinine remains on the WHO's Model List of Essential Medicines for severe malaria cases, especially where artemisinins are unavailable, chloroquin is less commonly used due to the development of parasite resistance in many regions.

46. Hydroxychloroquine drug used for the treatment of COVID-19 patients is obtained from the bark of which of the following plants? [U.P. R.O/A.R.O. (Mains) 2016]

(a) Aswagandha
(b) Sarpagandha
(c) Cinchona
(d) Aloe vera

Correct Answer: (c) Cinchona

Solution:Quinine is extracted from the bark of cinchona tree, which is used to treat malaria, arthritis and prion-related diseases. For the treatment of malaria, chlroquine and hydroxychloroquine are nowadays widely used instead of quinine, both of which are synthetic drugs. Thus, this question is wrong as hydroxychloroquine is not obtained from the plants. It is not the same as quinine, which is a naturally-occurring compound. Hydroxychloroquine is being studied to prevent and treat COVID-19, but all clinical trials conducted during 2020 found it is ineffective and may cause dangerous side effects.

47. Cork is obtained from which of the following plant? [Jharkhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2003]

(a) Dalbergia
(b) Cedrus
(c) Quercus
(d) Argemone

Correct Answer: (c) Quercus

Solution:Cork is obtained from the bark of the oak tree, whose botanical name is Quercus suber. It is native to the Mediterranean region. Cork consists of irregularly shaped, thin-walled, waxy cells.

Dalbergia: This genus, commonly known as rosewood, includes species like Dalbergia sissoo (Indian rosewood) and Dalbergia latifolia (Indian rosewood). These trees are valued for their hard, durable, and often fragrant wood used in furniture, musical instruments, and other applications. Some species, like Dalbergia sissoo, have been used traditionally for medicinal purposes.

Cedrus: This genus includes species like Cedrus deodara (Deodar cedar), Cedrus libani (Lebanon cedar), and Cedrus atlantica (Atlas cedar). Cedars are known for their fragrant wood, often used in carvings, furniture, and incense.

Quercus: This genus includes a wide variety of oak trees, including species like Quercus robur (pedunculate oak), Quercus alba (white oak), and Quercus cerris (Turkey oak). Oaks are known for their strong, durable wood, used in construction, furniture, and other applications.

Argemone: This genus includes species like Argemone mexicana (Mexican prickly poppy) and Argemone ochroleuca (white prickly poppy). Some species, like Argemone mexicana, are known for their toxic properties and have been used traditionally for medicinal purposes, although caution is advised due to their toxicity.

48. Major component of cotton is: [U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2009]

(a) Protein
(b) Fatty acid
(c) Cellulose
(d) Glycerine

Correct Answer: (c) Cellulose

Solution:The chemical composition of cotton is generally as follows:

Cellulose: 91.00%
Water: 7.85%
Protoplasm: 0.55%
Elaphatic elements: 0.40%
Mineral salts: 0.20%

49. Noscapine is obtained from: [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2016]

(a) Poppy
(b) Basil
(c) Eucalyptus
(d) Ephedra

Correct Answer: (a) Poppy

Solution:Noscapine is obtained from poppy. Noscapine has been widely used as a cough suppressant in humans as well as in experimental models. The anti-tumour activity of noscapine was first reported in 1998. Noscapine has been shown to inhibit the growth of numerous cancer types including T-cell lymphoma, melanoma, leukaemia, myeloma, glioblastoma, and breast, ovarian, and colorectal cancer cells.

50. Heroin is obtained from: [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2005]

(a) Indian hemp
(b) Opium poppy
(c) Tobacco
(d) Areca nut

Correct Answer: (b) Opium poppy

Solution:Heroin is obtained from the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum). Opium latex contains approximately 12% of the analgesic alkaloid morphine, which is processed chemically to produce heroin and other synthetic opioids for medicinal use and for the illegal drug trade.

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