Alkaloids: contain a N-containing heterocycle  Alkaloids are
derived from various amino acids : ornithine, lysine,
phenylalanine etc.  Over 3000+ known alkaloids exist: Examples:
Nicotine, caffeine, morphine, colchcine, ergots, LSD,
strychnine, quinine, resperine  Alkaloids have many effects on
humans and other animals:  Known effects on mammals:  Cyanogenic
glycosides-These compounds are only toxic when they are broken
down by the organism's enzymes and release HCN or prussic acid.
• HCN attacks the cytochrome system, interfering with the
electron transfer necessary for the production of a H+ gradient
in metabolism. This leads to oxygen starvation and rapid death.
• Cyanogenic glycosides are also toxic due to the release of
nitrite. Glc-O-(CH2)3 NO2 -------->NO2- The nitrite released
substitutes for the oxygen on hemoglobin, thus interfering with
the transfer of oxygen in the blood. This compound is especially
harmful to cattle, but the human nervous system doesn't seem to
take as much damage from this c