Question

Morphine is chemically classified as

• A. Synthetic opioid
• B. Semi-synthetic opioid
• C. Natural phenanthrene alkaloid
• D. Benzyl isoquinoline alkaloid

Hint:

Morphine and codeine are natural phenanthrene alkaloids obtained from opium.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Concept:
Morphine is an important opioid analgesic obtained naturally from opium.

Step 1: Source of morphine.
Morphine is obtained from the opium poppy, Papaver somniferum.

Step 2: Chemical classification.
Morphine belongs to the natural phenanthrene alkaloid class.

Step 3: Why it is not synthetic or semi-synthetic.
Synthetic opioids are fully chemically synthesized.
Semi-synthetic opioids are derived by chemical modification of natural opioids.
Morphine itself is naturally occurring.

Step 4: Benzyl isoquinoline comparison.
Some alkaloids belong to benzyl isoquinoline class, but morphine is specifically classified as a phenanthrene alkaloid.

Step 5: Final answer.
Therefore, morphine is a natural phenanthrene alkaloid. \[ \boxed{\text{Natural phenanthrene alkaloid}} \]