Show the process of chemotaxonomy, Biology

Assignment Help:

Q. Show the process of Chemotaxonomy ?

Chemotaxonomy is a science which uses chemical information as a character for taxonomic purposes. Before we analyse the basis of this modern trend in plant taxonomy, let us for a moment think about the different kinds of plants in our daily lives. When we drink tea or coffee, we appreciate the flavour or aroma and differentiate the two by this character. Similarly, when we eat fruits such as the mango, the banana or the apple, we find that they taste differently. This difference is due to the chemical constituents of these foods and this forms the basis of chemotaxonomy where the chemical features or chemical constituents serve as the evidence for taxonomy. The potential importance of chemical evidence in plant taxonomy has been suggested by both botanists and chemists and this has become an important recent trend especially because newer techniques for quick analysis of plant I material have been developed. Chemotaxonomists suggest that chemical characters I have a particularly high taxonomic value because they are i) stable, ii) unambiguous, and iii) not easily (if at all) changeable. Further, chemical characters will show chemical relationships amongst plants in the same way as morphological characters show morphological relationships.

Although chemotaxonomy is considered to be a relatively recent development in modem taxonomy, its origin can be traced to very early classical taxonomy. You will recall that the spice plants were identified on the basis of their aromatic properties, or the medicinal plants by their curative value. These aromatic properties or the curative value was largely based on the chemical constituents of the plants and taxonomists have classified them since ancient times using these chemical features along with morphological characters. However, it is only in recent years that chemotaxonomy as an important field of study has been established.

A review of the large amount of literature published in this field reveals that chemical data may be obtained from any part of the plant. Secondly, depending on the purpose of the investigation, the chemical information may be used for description or identification of plants, or for establishing relationships. This evidence assumes greater significance when it is used to sort out differences in taxonomic relationships when 2 or more possibilities are suggested on the basis of morphological characters.

Although theoretically, all chemical constituents of a plant are potentially valuable to a taxonomist, in practice some kinds of molecules are more useful than others. Thus we can use directly visible chemical constituents such as crystals, raphides, or starch grains occurring in different plants as chemical characters.


Related Discussions:- Show the process of chemotaxonomy

Horse diseases-equine influenza, Equine influenza Equine influenza is ...

Equine influenza Equine influenza is a highly contagious, epizootic disease, which affects equines of all age groups and is caused by influenza virus A/equine virus of family

Determine functions of zinc in the body, Determine Functions of Zinc in the...

Determine Functions of Zinc in the Body? Zinc is an essential component of a large number of enzymes participating in the synthesis and degradation of carbohydrates, lipids, pr

Explain technical factors influencing food production, Explain Technical fa...

Explain Technical factors influencing food production? Improvement in technology has a significant impact on productivity. Improvements may occur in seed production, fertilizer

What is acetobacter, Q. What is Acetobacter? These bacteria, also known...

Q. What is Acetobacter? These bacteria, also known as "vinegar bacteria", cause significant spoilage in the wine industry but are necessary for vinegar production. The importan

How many chambers does the fish heart have, Q. How many chambers does the f...

Q. How many chambers does the fish heart have? The fish heart is a tube made of two consecutive chambers such as one ventricle and one atrium.

Explain the occurrence of nictoinic acid, Explain the Occurrence of Nictoin...

Explain the Occurrence of Nictoinic acid Nictoinic acid occurs widely in the animal and vegetable kingdom in free as well as in bound form (in enzymes). Several animal organs

Palynofossils (microfossils), Palynofossil s (Microfossils) - Fossils ...

Palynofossil s (Microfossils) - Fossils of planktons, diatoms, unicellular algae (diatoms) and shelled protozoans. (Heliozoans, Radiolarian and Foraminifera). Its finding in s

Need help, Many endangered plant species are currently being propagated by ...

Many endangered plant species are currently being propagated by commercial growers and botanical gardens and the sold (as both plants and seeds) to government agencies. Conservatio

What are the material used in biotolerant, Biotolerant Metals :- Co- Cr...

Biotolerant Metals :- Co- Cr Alloys, Stainless Steel, Gold,  niobium, tantalum Polymers:-  Polyethylene, polytetrafluorethylene, polyamide, polymethylmethacrylate, polyureth

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd