MPharm Master of Pharmacy Pharmacognosy and Natural Products

Question 1

Which class of secondary metabolites includes morphine, quinine, and vincristine?

Accepted Answer

Alkaloids

Answer

Alkaloids are nitrogen-containing secondary metabolites derived from amino acids and include many pharmacologically significant compounds like morphine and quinine.

Question 2

What is the pharmacologically active component of the foxglove plant (Digitalis purpurea) used in cardiac therapy?

Accepted Answer

Digoxin and digitoxin (cardiac glycosides)

Answer

Digitalis contains cardiac glycosides (digoxin, digitoxin) that inhibit Na+/K+ ATPase, increasing cardiac contractility used in heart failure treatment.

Question 3

Which extraction technique is most commonly used to isolate essential oils from plant material in pharmacognosy?

Accepted Answer

Steam distillation

Answer

Steam distillation is the classical method for isolating volatile essential oils; steam carries the volatiles, which are then condensed and separated.

Question 4

Artemisinin, the antimalarial compound derived from Artemisia annua, belongs to which chemical class?

Accepted Answer

Sesquiterpene lactone endoperoxide

Answer

Artemisinin is a sesquiterpene lactone containing a unique 1,2,4-trioxane endoperoxide bridge essential for its antimalarial activity.

Question 5

Which test is used to detect the presence of tannins in plant extracts?

Accepted Answer

Ferric chloride test

Answer

Tannins form blue-black or green complexes with ferric chloride (FeCl₃) due to their phenolic hydroxyl groups chelating iron.

MPharm Master of Pharmacy Practice Test

MPharm Master of Pharmacy Practice Test

MPharm Master of Pharmacy Pharmacognosy and Natural Products