Quiz On Medicinal And Psychoactive Plants (Do-activity)

1.

What is the causative agent of malaria?
- A.
  
  A virus
- B.
  
  A protozoan
- C.
  
  The female Anopheles mosquito
- D.
  
  Air pollution
Correct Answer
B. A protozoan

Explanation
female mosquitoes - Incorrect. The mosquitoes are carriers not causing agents.
b) a protozoan - Correct. It is the Plasmodium sp.
c) a virus - Incorrect. Yes, it is a microorganism but it is not a virus.
d) polluted air - Incorrect. Malaria is not an airborne disease.

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2.

The chewing of coca leaves for its mild stimulating effects dates back to 1500 B.C. in India.
- A.
  
  True
- B.
  
  False
Correct Answer
B. False

Explanation
False is the correct response. Coca plants grow in the South America and are plant source of cocaine.
True is the incorrect response. Coca plants are not naturally grown in India

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3.

Opiates have been used indiscriminately in the past to control common ailments such as diarrhea and coughing.
- A.
  
  True
- B.
  
  False
Correct Answer
A. True

Explanation
"True" is the correct response. Opiates are well known suppressants, they slow down the peristalsis in the digestive tract and coughing reflex in the central nervous system.
"False" is an incorrect response. Please refer to p.347, section Opium Alkaloids for explanation.

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4.

Select the statement about tobacco which is false.
- A.
  
  Nicotine is produced in the roots.
- B.
  
  Tobacco is a member of the tomato family.
- C.
  
  Tobacco is native to Europe.
- D.
  
  Nicotiana tabacum is the predominant cultivar for the species.
Correct Answer
C. Tobacco is native to Europe.

Explanation
a) Nicotine is produced in the roots is Incorrect response, as nicotine is synthesized in the roots and then transported to the leaves.
b) Tobacco is a member of the tomato family is an incorrect response. Tobacco belongs to the Solanaceae- The Nightshade family.
c) Tobacco is native to Europe is the Correct response. Tobacco is actually native to the Americas. It was Columbus who introduced it to the Europe.
d) Nicotiana tabacum is the predominant cultivar for the species is an Incorrect answer.
INicotiana tabacum is the botanical name of tobacco and is the most important cultivar.

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5.

For what purpose were the extracts from the bark of the willow tree were used by American Indians?
- A.
  
  As a poison
- B.
  
  As an intoxicant
- C.
  
  As a hallucinogen
- D.
  
  As a pain reliever
Correct Answer
D. As a pain reliever

Explanation
as a poison – Incorrect. Think about which medicine is made from the willow tree.
b) as an intoxicant -Incorrect. Think about the medicine which is made from the willow tree.
c) as a hallucinogen - Incorrect. Think about the medicine which is made from the willow tree.
d) for relieving pain - Correct. The willow tree is used to make Aspirin, the pain reliever medicine.

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6.

William Withering is noted for his work with which of the following plants?
- A.
  
  For purifying Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)in Cannabis
- B.
  
  For extracting and purifying digitoxin from Foxglove
- C.
  
  For purifying salicylic acid from Willow bark
- D.
  
  For purification of Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) from Ergot rye
Correct Answer
A. For purifying Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)in Cannabis

Explanation
- For purifying Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)in Cannabis is Incorrect. Raphael Mecholum first purified THC.
- For extracting and purifying digitoxin from Foxglove is Correct. William Withering extracted the cardiac glycoside digitalin from foxglove plants in 1785. This lead to the invention of modern theapeutics for treatment of heart conditions like arhythmmia and atrial fibrillation.
- for purifying salicylic acid from Willow bark is Incorrect. John Wayne purified salicylin from willow bark that lead to creation of Aspirin.
- For purification of Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) from Ergot rye is Incorrect. Albert Hoffman purified LSD from the fungi of the rye, the ergot.

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Quiz On Medicinal And Psychoactive Plants (Do-activity)

What is the causative agent of malaria?

The chewing of coca leaves for its mild stimulating effects dates back to 1500 B.C. in India.

Opiates have been used indiscriminately in the past to control common ailments such as diarrhea and coughing.

Select the statement about tobacco which is false.

For what purpose were the extracts from the bark of the willow tree were used by American Indians?

William Withering is noted for his work with which of the following plants?