Natural Products Sources - Natural Products Chemistry: Sources, Separations, and Structures - page 9

Many of these toxins are polypeptides such as bungarotoxin from cobras.
However, nonpeptide toxins such as tetrodotoxin from the puffer fish (Chapter 14)
are also extremely potent.
SUMMARY
In this chapter we highlight the difference between primary and secondary metabo-
lites, provide the definition of ethnobotany, and discuss traditional sources of natural
products. The sourcing of natural products from terrestrial, marine, microbial, ani-
mal, and insect species is indicated.
QUESTIONS
1. Provide an example of a natural product containing one of the following:
(a) a carbon bound as a single bond, (b) a compound with a carbon double
bond, and (c) a compound with a carbon triple bond.
2. Name five cultures still using natural products as traditional medicines.
3. Give an example of at least one plant used by each culture named in
Question 2.
4. Why do indigenous populations mainly use plants?
5. List some of the challenges a researcher faces in seeking natural prod-
ucts material.
6. What is organic?
7. What elements are typically in natural products?
8. Where do you find natural products in nature?
9. What is the study of natural products called?