Pyrethrin
Plant Secondary Metabolites Natural Insecticide Identification
Plant secondary metabolites are organic compounds produced by plants that are not directly involved in normal growth, development, or reproduction. They often serve protective functions, including defense against herbivores and pathogens. Some secondary metabolites possess insecticidal properties.
Analysis of Options
- Digitoxin: This is a cardiac glycoside found in the foxglove plant. While it has medicinal uses (heart conditions), it is not primarily known or used as a natural insecticide.
- Pyrethrin: Pyrethrins are a class of natural insecticides found in chrysanthemum flowers. They act as potent neurotoxins for insects, making them effective natural pesticides. This compound directly fits the definition of a natural insecticide derived from plants.
- Salicylic acid: This compound is a plant hormone involved in growth and photosynthesis, and it's the precursor to aspirin. It does not function as a primary insecticide.
- Avenacin A-1: This is a type of saponin found in oats, acting as a phytoalexin (a chemical produced by plants in response to infection). While some saponins exhibit insecticidal activity, pyrethrins are the classic and widely recognized example of plant-derived natural insecticides among these options.
Based on the analysis, pyrethrins are the specific plant secondary metabolites known for their potent natural insecticidal activity.
Important Questions from Production of Secondary Metabolites
- Match the secondary metabolites (Column-I) with the corresponding plant species (Column-II).
Column-I Column-II P. Morphine 1. *Datura stramonium* Q. Pyrethrins 2. *Catharanthus roseus* R. Scopolamine 3. *Papaver somniferum* S. Vincristine 4. *Tagetes erecta* - Which of the following plant-based secondary metabolites belong(s) to the class of alkaloids?
Determine the correctness or otherwise of the following Assertion and Reason (r).
Assertion: The production of secondary metabolites in plant cell cultures is enhanced by the addition of elicitors.
Reason: Elicitors induce the expression of enzymes responsible for the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites.
- The pungency of mustard seeds is primarily due to secondary metabolites such as isothiocyanate and nitrile. The pungency is usually felt only when the seeds are crushed. This is because of
Vincristine and vinblastine, two commercially important secondary metabolites from Catharanthus roseus, are examples of ______
