Insecticides

Nicotine Insecticide

Nicotine is a plant defense alkaloid and is a pale yellow to dark brown liquid with a slight, fishy odor when warm. Biologically the production of nicotine requires nicotinic acid and an N-methyl-pyrrolinium caution. It is derived from ornithine. Nicotine is approved by the FDA as an insecticide. Its effectiveness is similar to that of organ phosphorous compounds and it is one of the few poisons that bugs have not evolved resistance to. However, exposure to nicotine is usually from cigarette smoke. Whether used as an insecticide or drug the mode of action is the same. Nicotine inhibits the purpose of acetylcholine receptors located at the neuromuscular junctions.

In common terms, it causes inspiration of the ganglions in low doses but causes blockade at higher concentrations. The nicotinic acetylcholine receptors are 270kD proteins with 4 subunits located in the CNS. Under normal conditions, a change in calcium ion concentration discharge acetylcholine from storage space vesicles. Acetylcholine crosses the synaptic cleft and binds to the alpha subunit of the nicotinic receptor causing conformational changes, which opens an ion channel, allowing the passage of cautions. This depolarizes the postsynaptic membrane initiating an act potential in the adjacent membrane and thus a signal is transmitted. Nicotine inspires, then blocks the acetylcholine receptor, locking the ion channels in the open position and impairs signaling ability.

Harmful effects of nicotine: Nicotine is highly lipophillic and can go through dermal tissue as well as the blood-brain barrier. Unintentional exposure to nicotine through pesticide is a real threat. Severe exposure causes nausea, headache, dizziness, abdominal craps and sickness. Other than use in little doses to help people quit smoking, nicotine has no therapeutic value, unless one considers pesticides action to be therapeutic. Sadly, humans have a long history of adapting plant protection alkaloids to recreational drug habits. Perhaps it is acute awareness of death which drives to such distractions. Low doses of nicotine, like those obtained from self administration through cigarettes, facilitates relaxation and reasons mild joy. Additionally it can recover attention as well as problem-solving skills. It takes about 19 seconds for nicotine to reach the brain after it is absorbed into the blood stream. Dopamine levels boost causing pleasure enhancement.

Health problems: Most health problems connected with nicotine are actually caused by the carrier like cigarettes. Breathing of scalding, partially rusty plant debris is bound to cause problems. Imperfect burning results in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

Insecticides