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Alkaloids are generated by various living organisms, especially by higher plants – about 10 to 25% of those contain alkaloids. [171] [172] Therefore, in the past the term "alkaloid" was associated with plants. [173] The alkaloids content in plants is usually within a few percent and is inhomogeneous over the plant tissues.
Has no known biological role, but a variety of plants concentrate it from the soil, and it has a variety of uses in medicine. [11] Some compounds are toxic. In humans, barium ion affects the nervous system. [16] beryllium: 4: 2c: Has no known biological role, but has medical use in certain dental alloys [17] Toxic to humans, esp. via inhalation.
Mass in plants Mass in animals Biological uses Carbon 12% 19% Found in carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, and proteins. Hydrogen 10% 10% Found in water, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, and proteins. Nitrogen 1% 4% Found in nucleic acids, proteins, some lipids (e.g. sphingolipids) and some polysaccharides (e.g. chitin) Oxygen 77% 63%
Nitrogen is a major constituent of several of the most important plant substances. For example, nitrogen compounds comprise 40% to 50% of the dry matter of protoplasm, and it is a constituent of amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. [9] It is also an essential constituent of chlorophyll. [10]
The need for nitrogen is addressed by requirements set for protein, which is composed of nitrogen-containing amino acids. Sulfur is essential, but again does not have a recommended intake. Instead, recommended intakes are identified for the sulfur-containing amino acids methionine and cysteine .
Plants that contribute to nitrogen fixation include those of the legume family—Fabaceae— with taxa such as kudzu, clover, soybean, alfalfa, lupin, peanut and rooibos. [45] They contain symbiotic rhizobia bacteria within nodules in their root systems, producing nitrogen compounds that help the plant to grow and compete with other plants. [64]
Nitrogen is a constituent of every major pharmacological drug class, including antibiotics. Many drugs are mimics or prodrugs of natural nitrogen-containing signal molecules: for example, the organic nitrates nitroglycerin and nitroprusside control blood pressure by metabolising into nitric oxide.
A biofertilizer is a substance which contains living micro-organisms which, when applied to seeds, plant surfaces, or soil, colonize the rhizosphere or the interior of the plant and promotes growth by increasing the supply or availability of primary nutrients to the host plant. [1]