Economic Botany

Castilla elastica, commonly is known as the Panama rubber tree, is a tree native to the tropical areas of Mexico, Central America, and northern South America. It was the principal source of latex among the Mesoamerican peoples in pre-Columbian times. The latex gathered from Castilla elastica was converted into usable rubber called Panama rubber.

Saffron is obtained from dried stigmas of the flower- Crocus sativus, a perinneal plant that flowers in autumn. It belongs to the family Iridaceae. The stigmas of contain yellow dye which is a water soluble glycosidic cis and trans carotenoidic crocetin and crocins as chief colouring components. Henna (Lawsonia inermis) contains lawsone, a naphthoquinone as the main colouring component.

Atropine is an alkaloid obtained from the leaves of Atropa belladonna and is used for many medicinal purposes. Morphine is obtained from the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum) by scraping the unripe seed capsule, and then collecting and drying the rubbery exudates.

Coir is a natural fibre extracted from the husk of coconut (Cocos nucifera) and used in products such as floor mats, doormats, brushes, mattresses etc.

Two chemotherapy drugs, Etoposide and Teniposide, are derived from toxins found in Podophyllum peltatum. Taxus brevifolia (Pacific yew) have been used as anticancer drug in chemotherapy. Taxus brevifolia have two chemotherapeutic drugs- pacliocetaxel and paclitaxel. The cancer treatment drug Topotecan is an extracted from Camptotheca sp.
Hence, only option 5 is correct.

A. Two chemotherapy drugs, Etoposide and Teniposide, are derived from toxins found in Podophyllum peltatum. The cancer treatment drug Topotecan is an extract of Camptotheca sp.
B. Ulmus wallichiana is a timber yielding plant located throughout India. It is moderately hard and strong. It is used for door and window frames, carts and other purposes.
C. The Pyrethrins are a pair of natural organic compounds derived from Chrysanthemum cinerariifolium that have potent insecticidal activity.
Hence, only statement A is false.

Guarana (Paullinia cupana) is a climbing plant in the maple family, Sapindaceae, native to the Amazon basin and especially common in Brazil. As a dietary supplement, guarana is an effective stimulant. Its seeds contain about twice the concentration of caffeine found in coffee beans. Vinca alkaloids are a set of anti-mitotic and anti-microtubule agents that were originally derived from the Medagaskar Periwinkle plant, Catharanthus roseus. Vinca alkaloids (include vinblastine, vincristine, vindesine and vinorelbine) are used in the treatment of cancer. Digoxin extracted from the foxglove (Digitalis lanata) plant. Digoxin is widely used in the treatment of various heart conditions, namely atrial fibrillation, etc. Saffron is a spice derived from the flowers (stigmas) of Crocus sativus, commonly known as the saffron crocus.
Hence, the correct sequence of codes is P - 3, Q - 1, R - 4, S - 2.

Prosopis cineraria is a species of flowering tree in the pea family, Fabaceae. It is native to arid portions of Western and South Asia, including Afghanistan, Iran, India, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia. The wood of P. cineraria is a good fuel source, and provides excellent charcoal.

Hoya carnosa is a wax bearing plant, Areca catechu is used as a masticatory along with betel, Artocarpus hirsutus is a timber yielding plant and Parthenium argentatum has been exploited as commercial source of natural rubber.
Hence, the correct sequence of the codes is A - 2, B - 1, C - 5, D - 3.

Gentamicin is a broad spectrum antibiotic and obtained from Micromonospora purpurea.

P. Reserpine is an indole alkaloid, antipsychotic and antihypertensive drug that has been used for the control of high blood pressure and for the relief of psychotic symptoms. Reserpine is derived from Rauwolfia serpantina.
Q. Cryptostegia grandiflora, commonly known as rubber vine, is a woody-perennial vine that is native to south-west Madagascar. Its latex contains commercial quality rubber.
R. Brassica oleracea is the species of plant that includes many common foods as cultivars, including cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale. In its uncultivated form, it is known as wild cabbage. B. oleracea has become established as an important human food crop plant, used because of its large food reserves, which are stored over the winter in its leaves. It is rich in essential nutrients including vitamin C. Digoxin extracted from the foxglove (Digitalis lanata) plant. Digoxin is widely used in the treatment of various heart conditions.
Hence, statements P and Q are correct.

Carnauba wax- The leaves of the carnauba palm, Copernicia cerifera that grows in Brazil, have a thick coating of wax, which can be harvested from the dried leaves. It contains mainly wax esters (85%), accompanied by small amounts of free acids, alcohols, hydrocarbons and resin that is called as carnauba wax.
Vegetable ivory is named for its resemblance to elephant ivory. Species in the genus Phytelephas, native to South America are the most important sources of vegetable ivory.
Palm oil is an edible vegetable oil derived from the mesocarp (reddish pulp) of the fruit of the oil palms, primarily the African oil palm Elaeis guineensis.
Castilla elastica, commonly is known as the Panama rubber tree, is a tree native to the tropical areas of Mexico, Central America, and northern South America. It was the principal source of latex among the Mesoamerican peoples in pre-Columbian times. The latex gathered from Castilla elastica was converted into usable rubber called Panama rubber.
Hence, the correct sequence of codes P - 2, Q - 1, R - 4, S - 5 is.

P) Curcumin is obtained from Curcuma longa is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial plant of the ginger family, Zingiberaceae. It has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti cancer and hepatoprotective properties. The phenolic yellow curcumin pigment is successfully used in the Alzheimer's disease medication by Ayurvedic preparation.
Q) Nyctanthes arbortristis or locally harsinghar is a shrub that belongs to the family Oleaceae, found abundantly on the Himalayas and cultivated in the rest of India, Burma (Myanmar) and Sri Lanka (Ceylon). The chief colouring pigment of harsinghar is nictanthin.
R) Carthamus tinctorius (safflower) is an annual herb belonging to the family Asteraceae. Carthamus tinctorius contains carthamin as colouring pigment. The walnut (Juglans regia), belongs to the family Juglandaceae. Juglone is the main colouring component of walnut. 
Hence, only statement R is false.

All parts of Datura plants contain the tropane alkaloids- atropine, hyoscyamine and scopolamine which are classified as deliriants, or anticholinergics. Atropa belladonna contains the active agents in belladonna, atropine, hyoscine, and hyoscyamine, have anticholinergic properties. Solanum dulcamara contain the alkaloids, solanine (from unripe fruits), solasodine (from flowers) and beta-solamarine (from roots). Pilocarpine is a parasympathomimetic alkaloid obtained from the leaves of tropical American shrubs from the genus Pilocarpus.
Hence, P and Q both produce atropine alkaloid.

1. Saffron is a spice derived from the flowers (stigmas, style) of Crocus sativus, commonly known as the saffron crocus.
2. Ephedrine drug is used in the medication of cough, heart problems, leprosy etc. obtained from the whole plant parts like- leaves, stem and roots of Ephedra sp.
3. Major food crops family around the world is Gramineae. Fabaceae or Leguminoseae family corresponds to the world’s major family of legume crops.
   Hence, statements 1 and 2 are both true.