The role of the labile methyl groups of betaine in the transmethylation reactions in the barley plants was investigated using carbon-14 methyl labelled betaine. The N-methyl groups of N-methyl tyramine, hordenine and choline were found to arise from betaine. Betaine was also administered to castor bean seedlings and the alka­loid ricinine isolated. It was found that its N- and 0-mthyl groups did not arise from betaine methyl. The origin of the methylenedioxy and N-methyl groups of the alkaloid protopine was also investigated by the tracer technique. Carbon-14 methyl labelled L-methionine, carbon-14 labelled choline and carbon-14 labelled sodium formate were fed to Dicentra species and the extent and position of labelling of the protopine molecule determined by degradation / Thesis / Master of Science (MS)