What are the function of alkaloids?

Answer 1

Alkaloids are nitrogen-based organic compounds that are commonly made from plants, which are nitrogen based. Demethyltryptamine (DMT) is a good example of an alkaloid made by plants, and is the only alkaloid naturally made by the human body. DMT has highly psychedelic properties, allowing us to dream at night and is ultimately responsible for the near-death experiences that people feel when they come close to dying.

We are carbon-based lifeforms, so when nitrogen-based compounds are introduced into our bodies, they heighten the perception of our senses and can be overwhelming depending on the alkaloid.

Some alkaloids are totally toxic and deadly, like nicotine. 50mg and you're dead.

Other alkaloids take you into la-la land, such as tryptamine.

Other alkaloids make you feel invisible and comfy, like cocaine.

Other alkaloids are so toxic that one molecule will kill you.

Many of the alkaloids that don't kill you instantly are converted by manufacturers into salts, such as hydrochlorides, after they are extracted.

Answer 2

Functions of alkaloids in plants:

The possible functions of alkaloids in plants or the reason why they occur in plants can be assessed as follows.

1. They at as poisonous agents and protect the plants against insects and herbivores.

2. They may be the end products of detoxification reactions representing a metabolic locking up of compounds otherwise harmful to the plant.

3. They may act as regulatory growth factors.

4. They may be reserve substances, capable of supplying nitrogen or other substances.

5. In some cases alkaloids could provide means of storage or transportation of plant substances in soluble form.

6. Current research is demonstrating that the alkaloids do participate in plant metabolism but daily variation in alkaloidal contents (both qualitative & quantitative) shows that presence of alkaloids is not vital to the plant.

As they participate in metabolic sequences, they are not solely the waste end products of metabolism.

Answer 3

Alkaloid is a group of nitrogen-containing compounds that are physiologically active as poisons or drugs

Answer 4

They basically react with hydrogen on metals.

They turn red litmus paper blue.

They have a high pH number.

There pH number is higher than 7.

They are corrosive.

Answer 5

Cleaning products often contain alkali because these dissolve fats in a process called saponification.