Multiple choice

Which of the following compounds is present in some scale insects ?

  1. Acrylic acid

  2. Carminic acid

  3. Carnitine

  4. Atrazine

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Carminic acid is a red glucosidal hydroxyanthrapurin that occurs naturally in some scale insects, such as the cochineal and the Polish cochineal. The insects produce the acid as a deterrent to predators. Carminic acid is the colouring agent in carmine.