Describe the compound and in what plant(s) it is found
Nicotine compound is a naturally produced stimulant and a potent parasympathomimetic alkaloid made by several plant types. It is a chemical containing nitrogen produced by nightshade plant species. Nicotine is made up of approximately 0.6 to 3.0% of dry weight of tobacco. The chemical is also described as a highly addictive stimulant that acts as an agonist in nicotinic receptors. The compound has an elimination half-life of 1-2 hours, a density of 1.01 g/cm 3 , and a molar mass of 162.236 g·mol −1 (Le Houezec et al., 2011) . The organic compound is found in several types of plants. Nicotine is predominant in tobacco plant and is also present but in lower quantities in other nightshade plants such as green pepper, tomato, eggplant, and potato. Coca plant also harbors nicotine alkaloids.
How this compound provides protection for the plant
Nicotine protects plants such as tobacco in their native habitats. According to Herkewitz (2014), nicotine acts as a defensive chemical that controls inevitable attacks on tobacco plants. Nicotine toxicity acts as an insecticide. The compound acts as a remedy against attacks by devouring insects such as aphids and caterpillars. The organic compound contains an arsenal of chemical metabolites that wards off predators ( Wong, 2014) . Besides keeping insects away, nicotine also produces anti-herbivore properties. Nicotine has resistant traits that are extremely toxic to most herbivores. The compound, therefore, generates putative defense traits that protect the tobacco plant from herbivore attacks. The toxic properties defend tobacco plant from attacks by hungry herbivores in their natural habitats ( Herkewitz, 2014) . The nicotine plant properties offer a competitive advantage against nature foes. Nicotine is effective in producing secondary metabolites that act as a direct defense against herbivores and pathogens, therefore promoting plant survival.
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Other benefits for the plant, such as enhanced pollination
Besides offering protection for the plant, nicotine also enhances pollination. Nicotine-laced nectar speeds bumblebee’s ability to differentiate flower colors. Nectar in tobacco flowers is spiked with nicotine, which is a nature's trick box to enhance the process of pollination. Due to nicotine present in tobacco flowers, bees remember the flowers better and keep visiting them regularly, leading to increased pollination. Researchers from Royal Holloway University reported that bees infected with parasites seek flowers with nicotine-laced nectar to fight off infection and in the process they enhance pollination (Le Houezec et al., 2011) . Nicotine makes flowers addictively attractive to pollinating insects such as bees. Nicotine containing plants manipulate pollination behavior using psychoactive compounds present in the nectar for their own good.
Nicotine present in floral nectar influences the bumblebee’s ability to learn the floral features of a plant. The presence of the compound in floral nectar implies that pollinators visit them regularly when foraging. After encountering flowers laced with nicotine, insects such as bumblebees stay faithful to these plants by visiting them more often for pollination. Nicotine, therefore, largely influences the process of pollination.
Effect does the compound have on humans
Upon entering the human body when taken in high doses, nicotine can have deleterious effects. Nicotine contributes to the hardening of arterial walls, a condition that can cause a heart attack. The compound leads to increased blood flow into the heart, high heart rate and a rise in blood pressure. Also, nicotine's direct application leads to a burning sensation and irritation on a person's throat and mouth (Le Houezec et al., 2011) . After respiratory exposure to nicotine, the chemical produces less severe gastrointestinal effects. The effects include vomiting and diarrhea, increased salivation, abdominal pains, and nausea. Nicotine triggers a rise in hyperglycemia and an increase in plasma free fatty acids. The compound contributes to a high level of catecholamines in a person's blood. Severe nicotine poisoning leads to convulsion, tremors, dyspnea, cyanosis, prostration and a likelihood of coma.
References
Herkewitz, W. (2014). Addictive drugs that are actually pesticides. Retrieved from http://mentalfloss.com/article/55372/addictive-drugs-are-actually-pesticides
Le Houezec, J., McNeill, A. N. N., & Britton, J. (2011). Tobacco nicotine. Drug and alcohol review , 30 (2), 119-123.
Wong, K. (2014). Mother Nature’s medicine cabinet. Retrieved from https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/mother-natures-medicine-c/
