Question

What is chemical taxonomy?

Answer 1

1. Chemical taxonomy is a comparatively recent discipline which involves application of phyto-chemical data to the problems of systematic botany.
2. Here, chemical criteria are used for the classification of plants.
3. The analysis of chemical compounds by means of biochemistry and molecular biology helps in the classification of plants.
4. The presence and distribution of various chemical compounds in plants serve as taxonomic evidences.
5. The common chemical constituents used for the classification of plants include hormones, amino-acids, proteins, enzymes, tannins, alkaloids, oils etc.
6. Chemotaxonomy is useful for fragmentary fossil specimens which lack morphological and anatomical characters.
7. This is generally used for the classification of medicinal plants.