Final answer:
The seeds of the opium poppy are used in the production of opium, which contains morphine and codeine, both used in medicine, and heroin, a more potent derivative. Opium has historical significance in trade and continues to impact global health and politics.
Step-by-step explanation:
The seeds of the opium poppy are utilized in the production of opium, a plant latex that is rich in morphine, from which other potent opiates such as heroin can be synthesized. Opium is a crude resinous extract obtained from the opium poppy's seedpod and it contains several components including morphine, codeine, and heroin. While morphine and codeine are widely used in medicine for their analgesic properties, heroin which is derived from morphine, is a much more potent and highly addictive substance.
In history opium played a significant role in international trade, especially with the British and Chinese in the early 19th century. In contemporary times the cultivation and trade of opium poppies and their derivatives remain a challenge for international law enforcement and have significant implications for health and geopolitics.