Top 10 Commonly Confused Words in Phytochemistry

Top 10 Commonly Confused Words in Phytochemistry 1. Alkaloid vs. Alkane First up, we have alkaloid and alkane. While both terms sound similar, they have distinct meanings. Alkaloids are a group of naturally occurring compounds, often with medicinal properties, found in plants. On the other hand, alkanes are hydrocarbons with single bonds between carbon atoms. So, remember, alkaloids are plant compounds, and alkanes are hydrocarbons. 2. Flavonoid vs. Phenolic Next, let's clarify the difference between flavonoid and phenolic. Flavonoids are a class of plant secondary metabolites, known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. On the contrary, phenolics are a broader category, including compounds like phenols, flavonoids, and tannins. So, while all flavonoids are phenolics, not all phenolics are flavonoids. 3. Monocot vs. Dicot Moving on to plant classification, we often come across the terms monocot and dicot. Monocots, short for monocotyledons, are plants with a single seed leaf, such as grasses and lilies.