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A primary characteristic of strychnine is its pleasant, fruity odor.
Answer: False
Explanation: Strychnine is characterized by its lack of odor and a markedly bitter taste, not a pleasant, fruity odor.
Strychnine is odorless and has a sweet taste.
Answer: False
Explanation: Strychnine is odorless but possesses a distinctly bitter taste, not a sweet one.
The IUPAC name for strychnine is Strychnidin-10-one.
Answer: True
Explanation: The systematic IUPAC name for strychnine is indeed Strychnidin-10-one.
Regarding its physical characteristics, what are the primary attributes of strychnine?
Answer: A colorless, bitter crystalline solid
Explanation: Strychnine presents as white or translucent crystals or a crystalline powder. It is characterized by its lack of odor and a markedly bitter taste.
What is the IUPAC name for strychnine?
Answer: Strychnidin-10-one
Explanation: The systematic IUPAC name for strychnine is Strychnidin-10-one.
What is the approximate molar mass of strychnine?
Answer: 334.419 g/mol
Explanation: The molar mass of strychnine (C₂₁H₂₂N₂O₂) is approximately 334.419 grams per mole.
The *Strychnos nux-vomica* tree, a common source of strychnine, is native to the tropical forests of North America.
Answer: False
Explanation: The *Strychnos nux-vomica* tree, a primary source of strychnine, is native to the tropical forests of the Malabar Coast in Southern India, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia, not North America.
Brucine, found alongside strychnine in some plants, is significantly more poisonous.
Answer: False
Explanation: Brucine, while present in *Strychnos* plants, is considerably less poisonous than strychnine.
The Wieland-Gumlich aldehyde is a precursor molecule in the initial step of strychnine biosynthesis.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Wieland-Gumlich aldehyde is a key intermediate in strychnine biosynthesis, formed after the initial condensation of tryptamine and secologanin, not a precursor in the initial step.
Which of the following is the most common plant source for strychnine?
Answer: *Strychnos nux-vomica*
Explanation: The most common plant source for strychnine is the seeds of the *Strychnos nux-vomica* tree.
Which two precursor molecules are essential for the biosynthesis of strychnine?
Answer: Tryptamine and Secologanin
Explanation: The biosynthesis of strychnine originates from the condensation of tryptamine and secologanin.
In its biosynthesis pathway, strychnine belongs to which class of organic compounds?
Answer: Terpene indole alkaloids
Explanation: In terms of its biosynthesis, strychnine is classified as a terpene indole alkaloid, specifically within the *Corynanthe* alkaloid family.
What is brucine, mentioned in relation to strychnine?
Answer: A less poisonous derivative of strychnine found in *Strychnos* plants
Explanation: Brucine is a related alkaloid found alongside strychnine in some *Strychnos* plants, but it is significantly less poisonous.
What is the significance of the Wieland-Gumlich aldehyde in the context of strychnine biosynthesis?
Answer: It is a key intermediate formed after stereospecific reduction and hydroxylation
Explanation: The Wieland-Gumlich aldehyde is a significant intermediate in the biosynthesis of strychnine, formed through specific stereochemical transformations.
Strychnine enhances nerve function by stimulating inhibitory neurotransmitters like glycine.
Answer: False
Explanation: Strychnine does not enhance nerve function by stimulating inhibitory neurotransmitters; rather, it acts as an antagonist, blocking the inhibitory effects of neurotransmitters like glycine, thereby increasing neuronal excitability.
Strychnine acts as an agonist, enhancing the effects of glycine in the central nervous system.
Answer: False
Explanation: Strychnine acts as an antagonist, blocking the inhibitory effects of glycine receptors, rather than an agonist enhancing them.
How does strychnine exert its toxic effects on the nervous system?
Answer: By blocking the action of inhibitory neurotransmitters like glycine
Explanation: Strychnine acts as a neurotoxin by blocking the inhibitory effects of neurotransmitters, primarily glycine receptors in the spinal cord, leading to increased neuronal excitability and convulsions.
How does strychnine interfere with the action of glycine in the spinal cord?
Answer: It prevents glycine from binding to its receptors
Explanation: Strychnine acts as an antagonist by preventing glycine from binding to its receptors, thereby blocking glycine's inhibitory signal transmission in the spinal cord.
Strychnine poisoning typically causes muscle relaxation and drowsiness.
Answer: False
Explanation: Strychnine is a potent neurotoxin that induces severe muscle spasms and convulsions, not relaxation and drowsiness. Its mechanism involves blocking inhibitory neurotransmitters, leading to uncontrolled motor neuron excitation.
The minimum lethal oral dose of strychnine for adult humans is estimated to be around 1 gram.
Answer: False
Explanation: The minimum lethal oral dose of strychnine for adult humans is significantly lower, estimated to be between 30 and 120 milligrams, not 1 gram.
Whole *Strychnos nux-vomica* seeds are highly toxic even if swallowed whole without chewing.
Answer: False
Explanation: Whole *Strychnos nux-vomica* seeds are often ineffective if swallowed without chewing because their hard, indigestible outer shell (pericarp) prevents the release and absorption of strychnine.
Fruit bats are known to be highly susceptible to strychnine poisoning.
Answer: False
Explanation: Fruit bats are noted for their immunity to strychnine poisoning, likely due to evolutionary adaptations to consume *Strychnos* alkaloids.
Initial clinical signs of strychnine poisoning include muscle relaxation and slowed breathing.
Answer: False
Explanation: Initial clinical signs of strychnine poisoning are characterized by generalized muscle spasms, seizures, and hypervigilance, not muscle relaxation and slowed breathing.
Strychnine poisoning can lead to death primarily through respiratory failure caused by sustained muscle paralysis.
Answer: True
Explanation: Death in severe strychnine poisoning often results from asphyxia due to sustained muscle paralysis and convulsions, leading to respiratory failure.
What is the most characteristic symptom of strychnine poisoning?
Answer: Muscular convulsions and spasms
Explanation: The most characteristic symptom of strychnine poisoning is the onset of generalized muscular convulsions and spasms, resulting from the disruption of normal inhibitory neurotransmission.
What is the estimated minimum lethal oral dose of strychnine for an adult human?
Answer: 30 to 120 milligrams
Explanation: The minimum lethal oral dose of strychnine for adult humans is estimated to be between 30 and 120 milligrams.
Which animal is noted in the source as being immune to strychnine?
Answer: Fruit bats
Explanation: Fruit bats are among the animals noted for their immunity to strychnine poisoning.
What is the primary cause of death in severe cases of strychnine poisoning?
Answer: Asphyxia due to convulsions
Explanation: In severe cases, death from strychnine poisoning typically results from asphyxia caused by prolonged muscle paralysis and uncontrolled convulsions.
Which of the following is NOT a typical initial clinical sign of strychnine poisoning?
Answer: Slowed heart rate and low blood pressure
Explanation: Initial clinical signs of strychnine poisoning include generalized muscle spasms, seizures, and hypervigilance. Slowed heart rate and low blood pressure are not typical initial symptoms.
How quickly can respiratory failure and brain death occur in severe cases of strychnine poisoning?
Answer: Within 15 to 30 minutes
Explanation: In severe cases of strychnine poisoning, respiratory failure and brain death can occur very rapidly, sometimes within 15 to 30 minutes following exposure.
Strychnine is a synthetic compound developed in the 20th century for industrial applications.
Answer: False
Explanation: Strychnine is a naturally occurring alkaloid derived from the seeds of plants in the *Strychnos* genus, not a synthetic compound developed for industrial use. Its primary modern application is as a pesticide.
Strychnine's main contemporary application is as a key ingredient in perfumes and fragrances.
Answer: False
Explanation: The primary contemporary application of strychnine is as a pesticide for controlling small animals, not as an ingredient in perfumes or fragrances.
Robert Burns Woodward's research group successfully achieved the first total chemical synthesis of strychnine in 1954.
Answer: True
Explanation: The first total synthesis of strychnine was reported by Robert Burns Woodward's research group in 1954, a landmark achievement in organic chemistry.
Historically, strychnine was used as a stimulant for athletic performance in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Answer: True
Explanation: In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, strychnine was indeed employed as an athletic performance enhancer and stimulant.
Thomas Hicks collapsed during the 1904 Olympic marathon because he consumed contaminated water.
Answer: False
Explanation: Thomas Hicks collapsed during the 1904 Olympic marathon due to the administration of a concoction containing strychnine by his assistants, intended to boost his stamina, not due to contaminated water.
Ancient Indian cultures were unaware of the toxic and medicinal effects of *Strychnos* plants.
Answer: False
Explanation: Ancient cultures, particularly in India, possessed knowledge of the toxic and medicinal properties of *Strychnos* plants long before the isolation of strychnine.
Strychnine was first identified by French chemists Joseph Bienaimé Caventou and Pierre-Joseph Pelletier in 1818.
Answer: True
Explanation: Joseph Bienaimé Caventou and Pierre-Joseph Pelletier are credited with the discovery and isolation of strychnine in 1818.
The primary modern use of strychnine is in pharmaceutical preparations for human consumption.
Answer: False
Explanation: The primary modern use of strychnine is as a pesticide; its use in pharmaceutical preparations for human consumption has largely ceased due to its toxicity.
Who is credited with achieving the first total chemical synthesis of strychnine?
Answer: Robert Burns Woodward
Explanation: Robert Burns Woodward's research group is credited with reporting the first total chemical synthesis of strychnine in 1954.
What historical role did strychnine play in the late 19th and early 20th centuries?
Answer: As an athletic performance enhancer and stimulant
Explanation: Historically, strychnine was utilized as an athletic performance enhancer and stimulant during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Which French chemists are credited with the discovery of strychnine, and in what year?
Answer: Caventou and Pelletier
Explanation: Joseph Bienaimé Caventou and Pierre-Joseph Pelletier are credited with the discovery and isolation of strychnine in 1818.
What historical event involving Thomas Hicks highlighted the use of strychnine as a performance enhancer?
Answer: The 1904 Olympic marathon
Explanation: The 1904 Olympic marathon, during which Thomas Hicks collapsed after being administered strychnine, serves as a notable historical event illustrating its use as a performance enhancer.
The GHS pictogram for strychnine includes a skull and crossbones, indicating its low toxicity.
Answer: False
Explanation: The GHS pictogram for strychnine includes a skull and crossbones, which signifies high acute toxicity, not low toxicity.
The NFPA 704 health hazard rating for strychnine is 1, signifying minimal risk.
Answer: False
Explanation: The NFPA 704 health hazard rating for strychnine is 4, signifying extreme hazard, not minimal risk.
NIOSH recommends an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) exposure limit for strychnine of 1.5 mg/m³.
Answer: False
Explanation: NIOSH recommends an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) exposure limit for strychnine of 0.15 mg/m³, not 1.5 mg/m³.
What is the main contemporary application of strychnine?
Answer: A pesticide for controlling small animals
Explanation: The primary contemporary application of strychnine is as a pesticide for controlling small vertebrates such as birds and rodents.
Which GHS hazard pictogram is associated with strychnine, signifying its toxicity?
Answer: Skull and crossbones
Explanation: The GHS pictogram associated with strychnine, indicating its high acute toxicity, is the skull and crossbones.
What is the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Limit (REL) for strychnine as a Time-Weighted Average (TWA)?
Answer: 0.15 mg/m³
Explanation: The NIOSH Recommended Exposure Limit (REL) for strychnine as an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) is 0.15 mg/m³.
What does the NFPA 704 rating of '4' for health hazard signify for strychnine?
Answer: Extremely hazardous or fatal
Explanation: An NFPA 704 health hazard rating of 4 indicates that the substance is extremely hazardous or potentially fatal, signifying a severe risk.
What is the Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) value for strychnine?
Answer: 3 mg/m³
Explanation: The Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) value established for strychnine is 3 mg/m³.
There is a specific chemical antidote that can neutralize strychnine in the body.
Answer: False
Explanation: There is no known specific chemical antidote for strychnine poisoning. Management focuses on symptomatic treatment and supportive care.
Activated charcoal is considered a universally effective treatment for strychnine poisoning, regardless of when it is administered.
Answer: False
Explanation: The effectiveness and optimal timing of activated charcoal administration for strychnine poisoning are debated, and it is not considered universally effective regardless of administration time. Other treatments are often prioritized.
Survival for 6 to 12 hours after the initial strychnine dose generally indicates a good prognosis for recovery.
Answer: True
Explanation: If an individual poisoned by strychnine survives the initial acute phase for approximately 6 to 12 hours, the prognosis for recovery is generally considered favorable.
Strychnine is primarily eliminated from the body through feces.
Answer: False
Explanation: Strychnine is primarily excreted unchanged in the urine, not through feces.
The biological half-life of strychnine in the body is very short, lasting only a few minutes.
Answer: False
Explanation: The biological half-life of strychnine is approximately 10 hours, not a few minutes.
Why might whole *Strychnos nux-vomica* seeds be ineffective as a poison if not chewed?
Answer: The outer shell (pericarp) is hard and indigestible
Explanation: Whole *Strychnos nux-vomica* seeds are often ineffective if not chewed because their hard pericarp prevents the release and absorption of the toxic alkaloid.
What is the status of a specific antidote for strychnine poisoning?
Answer: There is no known specific antidote
Explanation: There is no specific chemical antidote available for strychnine poisoning; treatment is primarily supportive and symptomatic.
How is strychnine primarily eliminated from the human body?
Answer: Excreted unchanged in the urine
Explanation: Strychnine is primarily eliminated from the body unchanged, with excretion occurring mainly via the urine.
What is the biological half-life of strychnine?
Answer: Approximately 10 hours
Explanation: The biological half-life of strychnine in the body is approximately 10 hours.
How does strychnine distribute within the body after absorption?
Answer: It quickly leaves the bloodstream and distributes into tissues
Explanation: Following absorption, strychnine rapidly leaves the bloodstream and distributes into various bodily tissues, with approximately 50% entering tissues within five minutes.