Economic Botany Questions in English

(B) $GNP$ stands for Gross National Product.
It is an estimate of the total value of all the final products and services turned out in a given period by the means of production owned by a country's residents.

(C) Industrial wood,often referred to as timber or lumber,is primarily obtained from trees belonging to the genus $Quercus$ (Oak).
$Quercus$ species are widely valued for their hard,durable wood,which is extensively used in construction,furniture making,flooring,and barrel production.
While other trees like $Salix$ (Willow) and $Betula$ (Birch) are used for specific purposes (like cricket bats or plywood),$Quercus$ is the most prominent source of high-quality industrial wood.

(D) The alkaloid $Ajmalicine$ (also known as $Raubasine$) is a pharmaceutical compound used primarily for the treatment of circulatory disorders.
It is extracted from the roots of the plant $Rauwolfia$ $serpentina$,commonly known as $Sarpagandha$ in India.
$Rauwolfia$ $serpentina$ is well-known for producing various alkaloids,including $Reserpine$ and $Ajmalicine$,which have significant medicinal properties.

(A) Petroplants are plants that produce a large amount of latex containing long-chain hydrocarbons.
These hydrocarbons can be processed into liquid fuels,making them a potential substitute for petroleum.
The production of latex is a metabolic adaptation in these plants,which allows them to store energy in the form of hydrocarbons.
Therefore,the reason correctly explains why these plants are classified as petroplants.
Examples include $Euphorbia$ $antisyphilitica$,$Euphorbia$ $lathyris$,and $Calotropis$ $procera$.

(A) Lathyrism is a neurological disease characterized by paralysis of the lower limbs.
It is caused by the excessive consumption of khesari dal $(Lathyrus \text{ } sativus)$,which contains a toxic amino acid known as $\beta$-$ODAP$ ($\beta$-$N$-oxalylamino-$L$-alanine).

(C) Essential oils are volatile,concentrated plant extracts that contain the characteristic aromatic compounds of the plant. They are primarily used in the production of perfumes,fragrances,and aromatherapy due to their strong,pleasant,and distinct aromatic properties.

(N/A) Multipurpose trees are trees that are grown for more than one purpose or benefit.
They may provide food in the form of fruit, seeds, or roots, and also provide firewood, medicines, fibers, etc.
$(i)$ Neem $(Azadirachta \text{ } indica)$: Used as an insect repellent, antibiotic, source of firewood, and for windbreaks.
$(ii)$ Coconut palm $(Cocos \text{ } nucifera)$: Used for food, purified water (juice from inside the coconut), roof thatching, firewood, shade, and rope making.

(C) $Cissus$ $quadrangularis$ is an ancient medicinal plant of India.
It has specific bone-healing properties and helps in the faster increase of bone tensile strength.
It acts as a glucocorticoid antagonist.
Since anabolic compounds are known to act as antagonists to the glucocorticoid receptor as well as promote bone growth and fracture healing,it has been concluded that $Cissus$ possesses significant bone-healing properties.

(B) Black pepper is known as the 'King of Spices'. Its scientific name is $Piper \text{ } nigrum$. It belongs to the family $Piperaceae$ and is widely used for its pungent flavor.

(D) Crude turpentine (oleoresin) is obtained from the long leaf of pine ($Pinus$ $australis$) and slash pine ($Pinus$ $caribaea$).
Pine resin is obtained from chir pine ($Pinus$ $roxburghii$) and blue pine ($Pinus$ $wallichiana$) by tapping.

(A) Sunflower oil is a semi-drying oil obtained from $Helianthus \ annuus$,which belongs to the family $Asteraceae$.
Its seeds contain $40-50 \%$ oil content.
On hydrogenation,it yields vegetable 'ghee'.
Sunflower oil is widely used in cooking and in the manufacturing of paints and soaps.

(D) Most of the petrocrops belong to the families $Euphorbiaceae$,$Apocynaceae$,and $Asclepiadaceae$.
These plants are known as petrocrops because they produce hydrocarbon-like substances.
The plants of these families convert a substantial amount of their photosynthetic products into latex,which can be processed into petroleum-like fuels.

(D) Spermaceti is a white waxy solid consisting mainly of cetyl palmitate,which is a wax ester with the chemical formula $C_{15}H_{31}COOC_{16}H_{33}$.
It is widely used in the manufacturing of high-quality cosmetics,skin creams,ointments,and soaps due to its emollient properties.

(D) The primary sources of sucrose (sugar) for commercial production worldwide are sugarcane $(Saccharum \text{ } officinarum)$ and sugar beet $(Beta \text{ } vulgaris)$.
Sugarcane is a tropical grass that accounts for the majority of global sugar production.
Sugar beet is a temperate crop that serves as a significant secondary source of sugar.
Therefore, both $(A)$ and $(B)$ are correct.

(A) Quinine is a well-known antimalarial drug.
It is extracted from the dried bark of the $Cinchona$ tree (specifically $Cinchona$ $officinalis$ and other related species).
$Atropa$ $belladonna$ is the source of atropine.
$Mangifera$ $indica$ is the scientific name for the mango tree.
$Cedrela$ $toona$ is a timber-yielding tree.
Therefore,the correct option is $A$.

(B) The plant $Gossypium$,commonly known as cotton,is a major fibre-yielding plant.
It belongs to the family $Malvaceae$.
The fibres are obtained from the seed coat of the cotton plant.
$Triticum$ is a genus of wheat (cereal crop).
$Pennisetum$ is a genus of pearl millet (cereal crop).
$Rauwolfia$ is a medicinal plant known for producing reserpine.

(A) Clove oil is widely used in dentistry for the treatment of toothache.
It contains a compound called eugenol,which acts as a natural analgesic (pain reliever) and antiseptic.
When applied to the affected area,it helps to reduce inflammation and numb the pain associated with dental issues.

(A) Chewing gum is traditionally produced from chicle,which is a natural latex obtained from the sap of the sapodilla tree ($Achras$ $sapota$).
This latex is harvested by making incisions in the bark of the tree,which is then boiled and processed to create the base for chewing gum.
Therefore,the correct option is $A$.

(A) $Linum \text{ } usitatissimum$, commonly known as flax or linseed, is a dual-purpose crop.
It is cultivated for its seeds, which are a rich source of oil, and for its stem, which provides high-quality fibre used in the production of linen.
$Sesamum \text{ } indicum$ (sesame), $Helianthus \text{ } annuus$ (sunflower), and $Brassica \text{ } juncea$ (mustard) are primarily cultivated as oilseed crops.

(D) The drug $Reserpine$ is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). This drug is extracted from the roots of the plant $Rauwolfia serpentina$,commonly known as $Sarpagandha$.

(B) The medicinal properties of sarpagandha $(Rauwolfia \text{ } serpentina)$ are primarily found in its tuberous roots.
These roots contain various alkaloids, among which $Reserpine$ is the most significant.
$Reserpine$ is widely used as an antihypertensive agent to lower blood pressure.
Additionally, it is effective in treating conditions like diarrhoea and dysentery.
In contrast, the roots of ashwagandha $(Withania \text{ } somnifera)$ are utilized for treating rheumatism, cough, ulcers, and hiccups.

(C) $Aloe$ $vera$ is a medicinal plant known for its therapeutic properties. The juice extracted from the roasted leaves of $Aloe$ $vera$, when consumed with honey, is an effective traditional remedy for treating cough and cold.

(D) Leaves of $Ocimum$ (Tulsi) are known to possess medicinal properties that can help sharpen the memory. They are widely used in traditional medicine as a nerve tonic and to improve cognitive function.

(B) Quinine is an alkaloid obtained from the dried bark of the $Cinchona$ $officinalis$ tree,which belongs to the family $Rubiaceae$.
This plant bark contains approximately $30$ different alkaloids,including quinine,cinchonine,quinidine,and cinchonidine,which are effective in treating malaria.

(A) Asafoetida (Heeng) is obtained from the dried latex (secretion) extracted from the roots or rhizomes of $Ferula$ $asafoetida$ (family $Apiaceae$,formerly $Umbelliferae$).
It is a resinous plant product used extensively in cooking and traditional medicine.

(A) Turpentine oil is a volatile essential oil obtained by the distillation of resin harvested from living trees, primarily those in the genus $Pinus$. Specifically, $Pinus$ $longifolia$ (also known as $Pinus$ $roxburghii$) is a major source of this oil. It is widely used in the rubber, paint, and varnish industries as a solvent and thinning agent.

(B) 'Supari' (betel nut) is the seed of the fruit of the palm tree known as $Areca$ $\text{catechu}$. It is widely used as a masticator in many cultures.

(D) Commercially, 'Kattha' is obtained from the heartwood of $Acacia \text{ } catechu$, which belongs to the family $Mimosaceae$. The wood is boiled in water to extract the substance, which is then concentrated and dried.

(D) Simmondsia chinensis is commonly known as Jojoba.
Its seeds contain about $50 \%$ of liquid wax,which is chemically similar to sperm whale oil.
It is a drought-resistant desert shrub.
Nowadays,it is widely used as a lubricant in various industries.

(A) Sunnhemp is obtained from the plant $Crotalaria \text{ } juncea$, which belongs to the family $Fabaceae$ (formerly $Papilionaceae$).
It is a bast fiber crop primarily used for manufacturing ropes, fishing nets, sacks, and paper pulp.

(B) Reserpine is an alkaloid obtained from the roots of the plant $Rauwolfia$ $\text{serpentina}$, commonly known as Sarpagandha. It belongs to the family $Apocynaceae$ and is used as a tranquilizer and to treat high blood pressure.

(A) Jojoba ($Simmondsia$ $chinensis$) is a plant that produces a unique liquid wax.
It contains $C-20$ to $C-26$ monohydric alcohol wax esters and triglycerides.
These compounds are widely used in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.

(A) Social forestry refers to the management and protection of forests and afforestation on barren and deforested lands with the purpose of helping environmental,social,and rural development.
Species commonly used in social forestry programs include $Acacia$,$Leucaena$ $(subabuli)$,$Prosopis$ $(jand)$,$Sesbania$ $(agastha)$,$Casuarina$,$Tectona$ $(teak)$,$Dalbergia$ $(sisham)$,$Moringa$ $(sahjan)$,and $Azadirachta$ $indica$ $(neem)$.
Among the given options,$Leucaena$ $leucocephala$ is a well-known species utilized in social forestry for its fast growth and utility.

(C) The correct matches are as follows:
$(a)$. Artemesia annua produces Artemisinin,which is an Antimalarial drug.
$(b)$. Lawsonia inermis is the botanical name for the Henna plant.
$(c)$. Vinca rosea (Catharanthus roseus) is the source of Vincristine and Vinblastine,which are Anticancer drugs.
$(d)$. Acacia catechu is the source of Kattha,which is used in betel leaves.
Therefore,the correct sequence is $a(iv), b(i), c(ii), d(iii)$.