Question

Define chemotaxonomy?

Answer 1

Hint: By breaking the word chemotaxonomy into chemo and taxonomy, we can define it. Taxonomy means classification and chemo means chemistry or chemicals.

Step by step answer:
Chemotaxonomy is a type of classification of animals and plants based on their chemical and biochemical composition. The classification was established and used for the first time in the 15th and 16th centuries by Newmann, James Petiver, and Grew. The basis of the classification is that proteins are encoded by genes. So, the chemical composition of proteins is a more reliable method to genetically distinguish between organisms. In the case of plants, secondary metabolites are considered as well. The compounds which are studied for chemotaxonomy are nucleic acids, amino acids, peptides, and many more. It is widely used in cases of plants. Chemotaxonomy is considered to be a better way of differentiation of plants and also understand the relationships between plants. The plants can be linked on the basis of semantics, primary and secondary metabolites. Using chemotaxonomy, plants are classified into flavonoids, alkaloids, polysaccharides, fatty acids, carotenoids, and terpenoids. Examples of chemotaxonomy are: Volatile oils are found in the family Umbelliferae and family Rutaceae. Tropane alkaloids are found in the family Solanaceae. Steroidal alkaloids occur in the family Buxaceae. Diterpenoids are found in the family Euphorbiaceae. Cardiac glycosides are found in the family Asclepiadaceae and family Apocynaceae.

Note: Chemotaxonomy is a type of classification that is really helpful for industrial industries and future findings and research. This has also been a significant breakthrough in terms of medicinal plants and their exploitation and usage.