Definition

A toxic, yellowish-white powder derived from certain plants, used in research and medicine.

Example

Veratridine is studied for its effects on nerve cells in scientific experiments.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of veratridine?

Yeah, I read it's an alkaloid that's quite toxic.

Exactly! It's derived from sabadilla seeds, right?

Right, and I think it’s also found in some plants like hellebore.

Root Explanation

Veratridine is derived from "veratrum" (from Latin, meaning 'a plant of the genus Veratrum') and "-idine" (a suffix used in chemistry to denote a compound). The word refers to a compound derived from the veratrum plant, known for its toxic properties.

Memory Tip

Think of 'veratrum' as the plant that gives rise to this compound, and remember that 'veratridine' is a substance derived from that plant.

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