Alkaloid
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| '''Alkaloids''' are naturally occurring [[chemical compound]]s containing [[base (chemistry)|basic]] [[nitrogen]] atoms. The name derives from the word [[alkaline]] and was used to describe any nitrogen-containing base. Alkaloids are produced by a large variety of organisms, including [[bacteria]], [[fungus|fungi]], [[plant]]s, and [[animal]]s and are part of the group of [[natural products]] (also called [[secondary metabolite]]s). Many alkaloids can be purified from crude extracts by [[acid-base extraction]]. Many alkaloids are [[toxicity|toxic]] to other organisms. They often have [[pharmacology|pharmacological]] effects and are used as [[medication]]s, as [[recreational drug]]s, or in [[entheogenic]] rituals. Examples are the [[local anesthetic]] and [[stimulant]] [[cocaine]], the stimulant [[caffeine]], [[nicotine]], the [[analgesic]] [[morphine]], or the [[antimalarial drug]] [[quinine]]. Some alkaloids have a [[Bitter (taste)#Bitterness|bitter taste]]. | '''Alkaloids''' are naturally occurring [[chemical compound]]s containing [[base (chemistry)|basic]] [[nitrogen]] atoms. The name derives from the word [[alkaline]] and was used to describe any nitrogen-containing base. Alkaloids are produced by a large variety of organisms, including [[bacteria]], [[fungus|fungi]], [[plant]]s, and [[animal]]s and are part of the group of [[natural products]] (also called [[secondary metabolite]]s). Many alkaloids can be purified from crude extracts by [[acid-base extraction]]. Many alkaloids are [[toxicity|toxic]] to other organisms. They often have [[pharmacology|pharmacological]] effects and are used as [[medication]]s, as [[recreational drug]]s, or in [[entheogenic]] rituals. Examples are the [[local anesthetic]] and [[stimulant]] [[cocaine]], the stimulant [[caffeine]], [[nicotine]], the [[analgesic]] [[morphine]], or the [[antimalarial drug]] [[quinine]]. Some alkaloids have a [[Bitter (taste)#Bitterness|bitter taste]]. | ||
| + | == See also == | ||
| + | |||
| + | * [[Amine]] | ||
| + | * [[Base (chemistry)]] | ||
| + | * [[List of poisonous plants]] | ||
| + | * [[Natural products]] | ||
| + | * [[Palau'amine]] | ||
| + | * [[Secondary metabolite]] | ||
| + | * [[Mayer's reagent]] | ||
| + | |||
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Alkaloids are naturally occurring chemical compounds containing basic nitrogen atoms. The name derives from the word alkaline and was used to describe any nitrogen-containing base. Alkaloids are produced by a large variety of organisms, including bacteria, fungi, plants, and animals and are part of the group of natural products (also called secondary metabolites). Many alkaloids can be purified from crude extracts by acid-base extraction. Many alkaloids are toxic to other organisms. They often have pharmacological effects and are used as medications, as recreational drugs, or in entheogenic rituals. Examples are the local anesthetic and stimulant cocaine, the stimulant caffeine, nicotine, the analgesic morphine, or the antimalarial drug quinine. Some alkaloids have a bitter taste.
See also
- Amine
- Base (chemistry)
- List of poisonous plants
- Natural products
- Palau'amine
- Secondary metabolite
- Mayer's reagent
