The group of active plant components that often end with the suffix '-ine' are called what?

• A. Active components
• B. Alkaloids
• C. Flavonoids
• D. Glycosides

Answer: (B)

Alkaloids are nitrogen-containing plant compounds that are often alkaline and pharmacologically active. Their naming commonly ends with -ine, as seen in morphine, nicotine, quinine, caffeine, and atropine. This -ine pattern is a familiar cue that many of these compounds are alkaloids, typically derived from amino acids and contributing to the plant’s defense and to various medical effects in humans. The other groups—flavonoids and glycosides—are different classes with distinct structures and naming patterns (flavonoids are polyphenolic and don’t hinge on -ine, glycosides end with -side and involve sugar components). So, the group described by the -ine suffix in active plant components is alkaloids.