Question
Biology Question on Population Interactions
Quinine used for treatment of malarial fever is extracted from
A
Atropa belladona
B
Cinchona officinalis
C
Aconitum napellus
D
Rouwolffia serpentina
Answer
Cinchona officinalis
Explanation
Solution
Quinine is obtained from the bark of Cinchona officinalis (family Rubiaceae). The bark of this plant contains about 30 alkaloids including quinine, cinchonine quinidine and cinchonidine. Belladona (Atropa belladona family Solanaceae) yields three drugs- atropine, scopolamine and belladona. Ramvolffia serpentina (family - Apocynaceae) is a perennial under shrub. Its dried roots contain reserpine and other alkaloids like serpentine, serpentinine etc. Aconite is obtained from the tuberous roots of Aconitum napellus (family-Ranunculaceae).