What is strychnine?
Q: What is strychnine?
A: Strychnine is a poisonous substance found naturally in the plant Strychnos nux-vomica.
Q: What is brucine?
A: Brucine is another poison found in the leaves and seeds of the Strychnos nux-vomica plant.
Q: How do plants like Strychnos nux-vomica defend themselves against herbivores?
A: Plants like Strychnos nux-vomica produce poisonous substances like strychnine and brucine to protect against herbivores.
Q: When was the structure of strychnine first worked out?
A: The structure of strychnine was worked out by Robert Robinson in the early 20th century, about 150 years after it was first discovered.
Q: What are the properties of purified strychnine?
A: Purified strychnine is a colorless crystalline alkaloid that is soluble in alcohol and chloroform, but not in water. It is very toxic with an LD50 of about 10 mg.
Q: What are some uses of strychnine today?
A: Strychnine is seldom used today, but it can act as a stimulant and is on the list of substances tested for doping in sports. It was also used in the past as a pesticide for killing small vertebrates such as birds and rodents.
Q: Is strychnine safe for humans to consume?
A: No, strychnine is very poisonous to humans and can be fatal even in small doses.
