Which of the following statements accurately describes the natural occurrence…
2024
Which of the following statements accurately describes the natural occurrence of nicotine in plants?
Answer: A. Nicotine occurs naturally in several plants, including some vegetables, in trace amounts. — ConceptPlant secondary metabolites are compounds that plants biosynthesise even though the compounds are not directly required for basic growth. An alkaloid…
- A.
Nicotine occurs naturally in several plants, including some vegetables, in trace amounts.
- B.
Nicotine occurs naturally only in tobacco and in no other plant.
- C.
Nicotine is produced only by laboratory synthesis and does not occur naturally in plants.
- D.
Nicotine is solely a by-product of industrial processes and does not occur naturally.
Attempted by 3 students.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Concept
Plant secondary metabolites are compounds that plants biosynthesise even though the compounds are not directly required for basic growth.
An alkaloid may be strongly associated with one plant yet still occur in related or unrelated plants at much lower concentrations.
Application
Nicotine is a naturally occurring alkaloid best known from tobacco.
Analytical studies have also measured very small quantities of nicotine in edible nightshade plants such as tomatoes, potatoes, aubergines and peppers.
Contrast
“Only in tobacco” is too restrictive because measurable nicotine has been reported in other plants.
“Only by laboratory synthesis” ignores natural biosynthesis of nicotine by plants.
“Solely an industrial by-product” confuses industrial production with a naturally occurring plant metabolite.
Cross-check
Published measurements of edible nightshades report nicotine in the microgram-per-kilogram range, which is consistent with trace occurrence rather than tobacco-level concentration.
Result
Nicotine occurs naturally in several plants, including some vegetables, in trace amounts.