Nicotine
DETAILS: The organic compound nicotine is the primary alkaloid of tobacco, found in the tobacco plant nicotiana tabacum.
In 1550, Jean Nicot*, French ambassador to Portugal, sent tobacco seeds to Paris. By 1571, nicotine in its crude form was known, and was eventually purified in 1828.
In 1843, scientists identified the molecular formula and in 1904 the first laboratory synthesis was completed.
Nicotine is usually found in tobacco plant leaves, but can be contained anywhere in the plant. Nicotine makes up only five percent of the tobacco plant’s weight.
In its pure form, nicotine is a colorless and odorless liquid alkaloid that has an oily consistency. The pure form is extremely toxic and can be fatal. Once exposed to air or light, nicotine takes the distinctive scent of tobacco and its familiar brown color.
Most people use nicotine for its addictive properties, by smoking or chewing tobacco containing nicotine. The drug has profound psychological effects and can either calm or stimulate. Nicotine addiction is difficult to overcome.
Approximately .05 to 2 milligrams of nicotine is inhaled by smoking one cigarette, and the material can reach the brain within eight seconds of inhalation.
Although nicotine is primarily used for its psychological effects, nicotine can also be used as an insecticide, or when mixed with nitric acid, as the food supplement niacin.
**Neonicotinoids**(sometimes shortened to neonics ) are a class of neuro-active insecticides chemically similar to nicotine, suspected of harming bees.
ONELINER: Nicotine
OTHER CONNECTIONS: None
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved October 13, 2004, from Encyclopædia Britannica Online. search.eb.com/eb/article?tocId=9055765.;
Bayer, Barbara M. "Nicotine." World Book Online Reference Center. 2004. World Book, Inc. 13 Oct. 2004. 0-www.worldbookonline.com.mill1.sjlibrary.org:80/wb/Article?id=ar391020.