NEET BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Genetic diversity is the diversity at the genetic level. It enables a population to adapt to its environment. Genetic variation in the medicinal plant Rauwolfia vomitoria growing in different Himalayan ranges might be in terms of the potency and concentration of the active chemical (reserpine) that the plant produces.

Detailed explanation-2: -Genetic variations in Rauwolfia vomitoria affect the production of active chemicals (reserpine) in terms of potency and concentration. Greater the genetic variations in the species Rauwolfia vomitoria, more the variety of reserpine obtained that can be used for a host of different purposes.

Detailed explanation-3: -Reserpine is an alkaloid derived from the root bark of Rauwolfia vomitoria. Reserpine is a naturally occurring drug that has been used for centuries in ancient India. In traditional herbal medicine, the root was brewed as a tea and used in humans to treat hypertension, insanity, snakebite and cholera.

Detailed explanation-4: -So, the correct answer is ‘Himalayan ranges’.

Detailed explanation-5: -Rauwolfia vomitoria is a natural medicinal herb which has been used for over 2000 years for treatment of diseases such as hypertension and mental disorders. [14, 15] Its adverse effects include: decreased heart rate and blood pressure, which is due to dilatation of blood vessels.