Skip to contentMCQ on Study of Medicinal Plants and Natural Products
🟢 Easy Level (1–20)
- What is the study of medicinal plants known as?
a) Pathology
b) Zoology
c) Pharmacognosy ✔️
d) Biochemistry
Explanation: Pharmacognosy deals with drugs obtained from natural sources. - Which plant is the natural source of aspirin?
a) Neem
b) Willow bark ✔️
c) Aloe vera
d) Eucalyptus
Explanation: Salicin from willow bark is a precursor to aspirin. - Which of the following is a natural product?
a) Paracetamol
b) Morphine ✔️
c) Ibuprofen
d) Acetaminophen
Explanation: Morphine is derived from opium poppy. - Quinine is obtained from which plant?
a) Neem
b) Cinchona ✔️
c) Tea
d) Clove
Explanation: Cinchona bark contains quinine, used to treat malaria. - What is the active compound in turmeric?
a) Eugenol
b) Curcumin ✔️
c) Atropine
d) Caffeine
Explanation: Curcumin is a polyphenol with anti-inflammatory effects. - Aloe vera is primarily used for:
a) Pain relief
b) Skin treatment ✔️
c) Liver damage
d) Constipation
Explanation: Aloe is widely used for burns and skin conditions. - Which part of the plant is used in case of ginger?
a) Leaf
b) Fruit
c) Rhizome ✔️
d) Flower
Explanation: The rhizome is the underground stem used. - Clove contains which active compound?
a) Tannin
b) Eugenol ✔️
c) Saponin
d) Quinine
Explanation: Eugenol has analgesic and antiseptic properties. - Which plant is used in treating diabetes?
a) Tulsi
b) Gymnema sylvestre ✔️
c) Aloe
d) Eucalyptus
Explanation: Gymnema reduces blood sugar levels. - Which of the following is a cardiac glycoside?
a) Digoxin ✔️
b) Morphine
c) Curcumin
d) Quinine
Explanation: Digoxin is derived from Digitalis purpurea. - Which plant product is used as a natural laxative?
a) Clove
b) Senna ✔️
c) Aloe
d) Neem
Explanation: Senna contains sennosides which are stimulant laxatives. - Which plant contains the alkaloid atropine?
a) Aloe
b) Atropa belladonna ✔️
c) Basil
d) Neem
Explanation: Belladonna is a natural source of atropine. - Tea and coffee both contain:
a) Nicotine
b) Caffeine ✔️
c) Atropine
d) Morphine
Explanation: Caffeine is a common stimulant in both. - Which plant is called the “King of Bitters”?
a) Neem
b) Andrographis paniculata ✔️
c) Amla
d) Aloe
Explanation: Known for its strong bitter taste and medicinal value. - Eucalyptus oil is used primarily for:
a) Blood pressure
b) Respiratory ailments ✔️
c) Diabetes
d) Constipation
Explanation: It is an expectorant and decongestant. - Which medicinal plant is known as “Holy Basil”?
a) Aloe
b) Ocimum sanctum ✔️
c) Amla
d) Neem
Explanation: Tulsi is Ocimum sanctum. - Reserpine is extracted from:
a) Amla
b) Rauwolfia serpentina ✔️
c) Aloe
d) Basil
Explanation: Used for hypertension and psychiatric disorders. - Which plant is a rich source of vitamin C?
a) Aloe
b) Emblica officinalis (Amla) ✔️
c) Tulsi
d) Clove
Explanation: Amla is highly valued for its vitamin C content. - Which part of Digitalis is used medicinally?
a) Fruit
b) Leaf ✔️
c) Root
d) Bark
Explanation: Leaves contain cardiac glycosides. - What is the botanical name of Neem?
a) Ficus religiosa
b) Azadirachta indica ✔️
c) Ocimum basilicum
d) Terminalia chebula
Explanation: Neem is known as Azadirachta indica.
🟡 Moderate Level (21–40)
- Vincristine and vinblastine are derived from:
a) Catharanthus roseus ✔️
b) Belladonna
c) Ginger
d) Clove
Explanation: Used as anticancer agents. - Tannins are chemically classified as:
a) Alkaloids
b) Polyphenols ✔️
c) Glycosides
d) Steroids
Explanation: Tannins are astringent polyphenols. - Silymarin, a liver-protective compound, is extracted from:
a) Aloe vera
b) Milk thistle ✔️
c) Neem
d) Basil
Explanation: Silymarin protects liver cells. - Ginseng is widely used as an:
a) Antidepressant
b) Antihistamine
c) Adaptogen ✔️
d) Antibiotic
Explanation: Ginseng enhances resilience to stress. - Which plant is used for anti-inflammatory action and contains boswellic acid?
a) Turmeric
b) Boswellia serrata ✔️
c) Aloe
d) Clove
Explanation: Used in arthritis treatment. - What is the therapeutic use of Vinca alkaloids?
a) Antibacterial
b) Anticancer ✔️
c) Antiviral
d) Antipyretic
Explanation: They disrupt mitosis in cancer cells. - Essential oils are mainly composed of:
a) Proteins
b) Alkaloids
c) Volatile terpenes ✔️
d) Carbohydrates
Explanation: They are aromatic and volatile terpenoids. - Which test detects alkaloids in plant extracts?
a) Fehling’s test
b) Dragendorff’s reagent ✔️
c) Benedict’s test
d) Tollen’s test
Explanation: Orange-red precipitate confirms alkaloids. - Glycyrrhizin is a sweet compound found in:
a) Neem
b) Licorice ✔️
c) Ginger
d) Clove
Explanation: Licorice root is used in cough remedies. - Which of the following is a bitter tonic?
a) Aloe
b) Clove
c) Gentian ✔️
d) Amla
Explanation: Stimulates appetite and digestion. - Caffeine is classified as:
a) Glycoside
b) Alkaloid ✔️
c) Steroid
d) Flavonoid
Explanation: It’s a methylxanthine alkaloid. - Saponins are characterized by:
a) Analgesic activity
b) Toxic to plants
c) Frothing property ✔️
d) Reducing sugar content
Explanation: They form soap-like foams in water. - Which plant part of Senna is used for medicinal purposes?
a) Bark
b) Root
c) Leaf ✔️
d) Flower
Explanation: Senna leaves are the source of sennosides. - What is the main bioactive compound in tea?
a) Eugenol
b) Catechin ✔️
c) Atropine
d) Lycopene
Explanation: Catechins are antioxidants. - Which of the following is a purgative plant?
a) Jalap ✔️
b) Basil
c) Ginger
d) Neem
Explanation: Jalap root contains potent purgative resins. - The term ‘crude drug’ refers to:
a) Unrefined synthetic drug
b) Naturally occurring drug in raw form ✔️
c) Impure compound
d) Toxic preparation
Explanation: Before processing or isolation. - Which test detects tannins?
a) Mayer’s test
b) Ferric chloride test ✔️
c) Ninhydrin test
d) Biuret test
Explanation: Produces a green/blue-black color. - Which plant is a source of colchicine?
a) Colchicum autumnale ✔️
b) Aloe vera
c) Neem
d) Senna
Explanation: Used in gout treatment and plant breeding. - Which secondary metabolite group includes morphine?
a) Tannins
b) Alkaloids ✔️
c) Terpenes
d) Flavonoids
Explanation: Morphine is a benzylisoquinoline alkaloid. - Licorice may cause which side effect?
a) Diarrhea
b) Vomiting
c) Hypertension ✔️
d) Hair loss
Explanation: Due to pseudoaldosterone effects.
🔴 Hard Level (41–50)
- Berberine is found in which plant?
a) Berberis aristata ✔️
b) Neem
c) Aloe
d) Amla
Explanation: Used as antimicrobial and liver tonic. - Which plant produces galanthamine for Alzheimer’s treatment?
a) Clove
b) Galanthus nivalis ✔️
c) Ginkgo
d) Tulsi
Explanation: An acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. - Podophyllotoxin is extracted from:
a) Aloe
b) Podophyllum peltatum ✔️
c) Neem
d) Belladonna
Explanation: Used in anticancer therapy. - Ajmaline, an antiarrhythmic alkaloid, is derived from:
a) Ginkgo
b) Rauwolfia ✔️
c) Tea
d) Ginger
Explanation: Used in cardiac disorders. - Artemisinin is derived from:
a) Neem
b) Artemisia annua ✔️
c) Tulsi
d) Clove
Explanation: A powerful antimalarial compound. - Aflatoxins are produced by:
a) Plants
b) Insects
c) Fungi ✔️
d) Bacteria
Explanation: Fungal toxins, especially Aspergillus. - Camptothecin is used in:
a) Diabetes
b) Cancer chemotherapy ✔️
c) Antibacterial therapy
d) Malaria treatment
Explanation: Derived from Camptotheca acuminata. - Which plant contains taxol?
a) Tulsi
b) Senna
c) Taxus brevifolia ✔️
d) Aloe
Explanation: Taxol is a potent anticancer agent. - Piperine enhances absorption of:
a) Curcumin ✔️
b) Amla
c) Eugenol
d) Digoxin
Explanation: Bioenhancer found in black pepper. - Which plant source provides psoralen, used in vitiligo?
a) Amla
b) Aloe
c) Psoralea corylifolia ✔️
d) Clove
Explanation: Used in PUVA therapy.
