Plant alkaloids

Plant alkaloids are naturally occurring chemical compounds found in many plants. They often serve as a defense mechanism against pests and herbivores due to their toxicity or bitter taste. Alkaloids can have significant effects on the human body; some are used as medicines (like morphine for pain or caffeine as a stimulant), while others can be toxic or hallucinogenic. They usually contain nitrogen and have complex structures. These substances are important in medicine for their therapeutic properties but must be handled carefully due to their potency.