Question

Concanavalin A is:(1) an alkaloid (2) an essential oil (3) a lectin (4) a pigment

• A. an alkaloid
• B. an essential oil
• C. a lectin
• D. a pigment

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

The given question is about the biological compound "Concanavalin A." We need to identify what type of compound it is from the options provided. Let's analyze each option to determine the correct answer.

1. An alkaloid: Alkaloids are nitrogen-containing compounds typically found in plants and often have significant pharmacological effects. They are not proteins or carbohydrates.
2. An essential oil: Essential oils are aromatic compounds extracted from plants, usually by distillation. They are primarily characterized by their volatile nature and specific aroma, not by their binding properties.
3. A lectin: Lectins are a class of proteins that bind specifically to certain sugars and can agglutinate cells or precipitate polysaccharides. Concanavalin A is known to be a lectin obtained from the jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis), and it is widely used in biochemistry research for its specific carbohydrate-binding properties.
4. A pigment: Pigments are substances that give color to plant or animal tissues but do not include proteins with carbohydrate-binding specificity.

Based on the explanations above, the correct answer is Concanavalin A is a lectin.

Conclusion: Concanavalin A (Con A) is classified as a lectin because it binds specifically to certain types of carbohydrates. It is widely used in laboratory research to study biological cells and interactions due to its ability to agglutinate cells and glycoproteins.