Pharmacognosy MCQ questions are mostly about four things: the plant, the part used, the chemical present and the use. This free quiz gives you 30 questions that test exactly these links, from Cinchona and Rauwolfia to agar, castor oil and honey.
Many students treat pharmacognosy as a boring memory subject. With a small system, it becomes one of the easiest subjects to score in.
Start the Pharmacognosy MCQ quiz
There are 30 questions with four options each. Try to finish without looking at your notes, then use the explanations further down to fix your weak spots.
How Pharmacognosy is asked in exams
Pharmacognosy papers love matching-type facts. A drug name is given, and you must pick the source, the active constituent or the use. The only way to master this is to build a four-column table and revise it often. Do not read the chapter like a story. Read it like a list, and test yourself with MCQs as often as possible.
Pharmacognosy MCQ mistakes students make, and the logic behind them
These are the questions from the set above that students most often get wrong, with the reason behind each answer.
- Who coined the term pharmacognosy?
Answer: Seydler. He used the term in 1815. Students often guess Linnaeus or Galen, who are not correct here. - Which alkaloid is the main active constituent of Rauwolfia serpentina?
Answer: Reserpine. Cinchona gives quinine, and Catharanthus roseus gives vincristine. - What is aloe mainly used as?
Answer: A purgative. The effect comes from anthraquinone glycosides. Senna also acts as a purgative through sennosides. - From which plant is menthol mainly obtained?
Answer: Mentha (peppermint). Eugenol is the main constituent of clove oil, so do not mix these two. - What are the sources of agar, acacia and tragacanth?
Answer: Agar from red algae such as Gelidium, acacia from Acacia senegal, tragacanth from Astragalus gummifer. Gums and mucilages are a favourite exam topic, so learn the three together.
Quick revision points for Pharmacognosy
- Digitalis purpurea contains cardiac glycosides, and Atropa belladonna gives atropine.
- Ephedrine is obtained from Ephedra, and strychnine from Nux vomica seeds.
- Glycyrrhizin is the sweet principle of liquorice, piperine is the pungent alkaloid of black pepper, and capsaicin is the pungent principle of capsicum.
- Castor oil from Ricinus communis is used as a purgative.
- Cod liver oil is a rich source of vitamins A and D.
- Lac is secreted by Laccifer lacca, and honey is produced by Apis mellifera.
A simple way to learn from your mistakes
Make a four-column table with plant, part used, chemical constituent and use. Fill ten rows every day and cover one column at a time to test yourself. When you attempt this pharmacognosy MCQ quiz, write the plant names you missed on a sticky note and keep them where you can see them.
Frequently asked questions about pharmacognosy MCQ
Is pharmacognosy difficult to score in?
It is a memory subject, so it rewards regular revision. With a table and daily MCQ practice, most students find it one of the easier subjects.
What should I focus on in pharmacognosy?
Alkaloids, glycosides, volatile oils, gums, fixed oils and the sources of common drugs are asked most often.
Are the plant names in this quiz from the D.Pharm syllabus?
Yes. The questions cover standard crude drugs taught in D.Pharm and B.Pharm pharmacognosy.
Keep practising
If this pharmacognosy MCQ set felt comfortable, move on to the next subject. These pages will help:
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry MCQ quiz
- Pharmacology MCQ quiz
- Noteskarts Test Series for D.Pharm and pharmacist exams
- D.Pharm 1st Year PDF Notes
- D.Pharm 2nd Year Notes
For official syllabus details and regulations, refer to Pharmacy Council of India and World Health Organization.
Written by the Noteskarts pharmacy education team. This quiz is for exam practice and learning only; always check your latest syllabus and standard textbooks for final answers.
