Target Exam

CUET

Subject

Biology

Chapter

Human Health and Disease

Question:

Which of the following is a plant that is used to make heroin? 

Options:

Poppy

Cannabis

Coca

All of the above

Correct Answer:

Poppy

Explanation:

The correct answer is Option (1) - Poppy

Opioids are the drugs, which bind to specific opioid receptors present in our central nervous system and gastrointestinal tract. Heroin , commonly called smack is chemically diacetylmorphine which is a white, odourless, bitter crystalline compound. This is obtained by acetylation of morphine.Heroin is derived from morphine, which is a naturally occurring alkaloid found in the latex sap of the opium poppy plant, Papaver somniferum. The opium poppy plant has been cultivated for centuries for its medicinal properties.

  • Cannabis: Cannabis is a plant that is primarily used to produce marijuana or hashish. It contains psychoactive compounds, which have mind-altering effects. However, heroin is not derived from cannabis.
  • Coca: The coca plant, scientifically known as Erythroxylum coca, is the source of cocaine, not heroin. Coca leaves contain alkaloids, including cocaine, which can be extracted and processed to produce cocaine.

Therefore, the correct option is Poppy: The poppy plant (Papaver somniferum) is used to make heroin.