Question

Which of the following is a latex based alkaloid?

• A. Atropine from Atropa
• B. Daturin from Datura
• C. Ephedrine from Ephedra
• D. Morphine from Opium

Answer 1

The correct option is D Morphine from Opium

Morphine is an opioid analgesic drug. It is the main psychoactive chemical in opium. In medicine, morphine is regarded as the gold standard in management of severe pain. Like other opioids, such as oxycodone, hydromorphone, and heroin, morphine acts directly on the central nervous system (CNS) to relieve pain. Opium (poppy tears, lachryma papaveris) is the dried latex obtained from the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum). Opium latex contains approximately 12% of the analgesic alkaloid morphine, which is processed chemically to produce heroin and other synthetic opioids for medicinal use and for the illegal drug trade. Thus, option D is correct. Atropine is a naturally occurring tropane alkaloid extracted from deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna). It is not a latex based alkaloid.
Ephedrine is a sympathomimetic amine commonly used as a stimulant. It is not a latex based alkaloid.
Daturin is a poisonous alkaloid from the thorn-apple. It is not a latex based alkaloid.

Thus, the correct answer is option D.