Understanding Today's Crossword Puzzle
The clue for today's crossword puzzle is "A nitrogenous basic compound found in plants, such as morphine or nicotine." The answer for this clue is "ALKALOID."
An alkloid is a nitrogenous basic compound that is commonly found in plants. They are known for their diverse chemical structures and various biological activities. Alkaloids are often characterized by their alkaline pH and ability to form salts with acids.
Here are some key points to help understand why this answer fits the clue:
- Nitrogenous: Alkaloids contain nitrogen in their chemical makeup, distinguishing them from other compounds found in plants.
- Basic compound: Alkaloids exhibit basic properties and have the ability to accept a proton (H+) in a chemical reaction.
- Found in plants: Alkaloids are naturally occurring compounds commonly found in various parts of plants such as leaves, stems, roots, and seeds.
- Morphine and nicotine: Morphine, derived from the opium poppy, and nicotine, found in tobacco plants, are well-known examples of alkaloids, highlighting their diverse nature.
Alkaloids have a wide range of biological functions, including defense mechanisms against predators and pathogens, attraction of pollinators, and regulation of plant growth and development. They also have significant medicinal properties and are used in the production of drugs for pain relief, anti-inflammatory effects, and treatment of various diseases.
In conclusion, the answer "ALKALOID" accurately corresponds to the clue "A nitrogenous basic compound found in plants, such as morphine or nicotine" due to the presence of nitrogen, basic properties, occurrence in plants, and notable examples like morphine and nicotine.
Definition of "ALKALOID"
any of a class of nitrogenous organic compounds of plant origin which have pronounced physiological actions on humans. They include many drugs (morphine, quinine) and poisons (atropine, strychnine).
That crossword clue published 1 time/s & has 1 answer/s.
Crossword | Date | Answer |
The Times Specialist | 19 November 2017 | ALKALOID |