Colchicine is primarily obtained from which part(s) of the plant-
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In medicine, it is also used in low doses to treat gout and certain inflammatory conditions.
In plant breeding, it's the most famous "polyploidizing agent".
- Root
- Shoot apex
- Mature leaves
- Corm and seeds
The Correct Option is D
Solution and Explanation
The question asks about the botanical source of colchicine, a critical alkaloid used in genetics and medicine.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
• Botanical Source: Colchicine is extracted from the plant Colchicum autumnale (Autumn Crocus or Meadow Saffron).
• Plant Parts: While most parts of the plant contain some level of the alkaloid, the highest concentrations are found in the underground storage organ known as the corm and in the seeds.
• Mechanism of Action: In genetics, colchicine is used as a mitotic inhibitor. It binds to tubulin dimers, preventing the polymerization of microtubules. This stops the formation of the spindle apparatus during cell division.
• Result: Cells enter mitosis and duplicate their chromosomes, but cannot pull them apart into daughter cells. This results in a cell with a doubled chromosome number (polyploidy).
• Applications: It is widely used by plant breeders to induce polyploidy to create larger flowers, seedless fruits (like triploid watermelons), or more vigorous crops.
Final Answer:
The corm and the seeds of the Colchicum plant are the primary commercial and biological sources for the extraction of colchicine.
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