59 Questions
Which type of compound has a sugar unit attached to a phenolic compound?
Phenolic glycosides
What is the role of the added sugar unit in phenolic glycosides?
To enhance biological activity
Which type of solution will extract fat-soluble constituents like alkaloids?
Alcohol-based solutions
What influences the solubility of phytochemicals?
Temperature of the extraction solvents
Which compound has varying affinities for different solvents?
Alkaloids
What will water-based solutions extract?
Polysaccharides and tannins
Which factor affects the ionization of a solution?
Type of solvent used
What is the purpose of flavonoids in a plant?
Protection from UV radiation
Which major class includes compounds such as alkamides and fatty acids?
Lipids
What do glycosides consist of?
A glycogen (sugar unit) and an aglycone (any other compound) attached by a glycosidic bond
Which major class includes compounds like salicylic acid, coumarins, and tannins?
Phenolics
What is the primary function of terpenoids in plants?
Providing a source of volatile oils
What are alkaloids primarily known for in plants?
Having pharmacological effects
What distinguishes glycosides from other compounds?
Consisting of two different molecules attached via a glycosidic bond
Which type of herbal constituent is generally not very soluble in water and more so in alcohol?
Tannins
What type of herbal constituent is a polysaccharide that absorbs water and may form a sludge in alcohol?
Mucilage
Which herbal constituent is insoluble in water and is readily soluble in alcohol?
Resins
What type of herbal constituent is partially soluble in both water and alcohol?
Saponins
Which type of herbal constituent volatizes in hot water, 40% alcohol, or oil?
Volatile Oils
What type of herbal constituent is soluble in alcohol and fixed oils, and slightly soluble in water?
Volatile Oils
Which type of herbal constituent varies in solubility depending on their glycoside?
Flavonoids
Which type of plant metabolites are fundamental to the life of the plant?
Primary metabolites
What is the approximate number of discovered secondary plant metabolites?
200,000
What is the primary difference between primary and secondary plant metabolites?
Primary metabolites are fundamental to the life of a plant, while secondary metabolites serve diverse functions within plants.
What is the main characteristic of herbal constituents?
They have distinct medicinal properties
What is the purpose of a herbal monograph?
To provide reliable herbal information
Why are herbal constituents classified based on their solubility?
To predict their medicinal applications
What is the primary function of flavonoids in plants?
Protect the plant from UV radiation
Which major class of constituents includes compounds like alkamides and fatty acids?
Lipids
What distinguishes glycosides from other compounds?
Attachment via glycosidic bond
What is the primary function of terpenoids in plants?
Production of volatile oils
Which type of herbal constituent is insoluble in water and is readily soluble in alcohol?
Alkaloids
What does the glycone unit in glycosides refer to?
Sugar unit
Which type of herbal constituent is known for its varying affinities for different solvents?
Alkaloids
Which type of herbal constituent is insoluble in water and more soluble in alcohol?
Flavonoids
What type of herbal constituent is a polysaccharide that absorbs water and may form a sludge in alcohol?
Mucilage
Which herbal constituent is partially soluble in both water and alcohol?
Saponins
What type of compound volatizes in hot water, 40% alcohol, or oil?
Volatile Oils
Which herbal constituent is readily soluble in water or alcohol?
Salicylates
In which solvents are resins generally insoluble?
Oil
Which herbal constituent varies in solubility depending on its glycoside?
Flavonoids
Which type of plant metabolites do not appear to be fundamental to sustain life but serve diverse functions within plants?
Secondary metabolites
How many secondary plant metabolites are estimated to still be uncovered by science?
80,000-90,000
What book provides information on how plants work and the amazing things they do?
How Plants Work: The Science behind the Amazing Things Plants Do
Which type of herbal constituents are referred to as plant constituents in herbalism?
Secondary metabolites
Which category of plant metabolites includes proteins, lipids, carbs, and chlorophyll?
Primary metabolites
What is the approximate number of secondary plant metabolites that have been discovered?
~200,000
Which class of chemicals are secondary metabolites that are fundamental to the life of the plant?
Primary metabolites
What is the primary function of the sugar unit in phenolic glycosides?
To activate the aglycone unit
Which solvent is most suitable for extracting alkaloids?
45-60% alcohol
What factor does NOT influence constituent solubility?
Molecular size of the plant extract
Which type of constituents are extracted by water-based solutions?
Mucilage and tannins
How does the polarity of a phytochemical molecule affect its solubility?
Makes it more water soluble
What is the role of gut flora in relation to aglycone units?
Break down and activate the aglycone unit
What is the significance of the added sugar unit in phenolic glycosides?
To improve water solubility
Salicylic acid, coumarins, flavonoids, isoflavones, lignans, quinones, tannins are examples of?
Phenolics
Inulin, arabinogalactans, beta-glucans, gum, mucilage are examples of?
Carbohydrates
Volatile oils, resins, saponins, phytosterols, carotenoids, cardiac glycosides, iridoids
Terpenoids
Isoquinoline and pyrrolizidine are examples of?
Alkaloids
Test your knowledge of phytochemistry with this quiz covering primary and secondary plant metabolites, herbal constituents, herbal actions, herbs with tissue affinities, and accessing reliable herbal information. This quiz is based on the learning objectives of Dr. Fiona Smulders' class 3A on phytochemistry.
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