Question

Name the excretory products other than \[{{O}_{2}}\] and \[C{{O}_{2}}\] in plants.

Answer 1

Hint: The excretory products are the results of various metabolic processes happening in a plant. These are waste or by-products of chemical processes. Carbon dioxide is an excretory product of the respiration process in plants. On the other hand, oxygen is a waste product of photosynthesis. Except for these two major gaseous excreta, there are other products excreted by plants that are useful to human beings.

Complete answer: Plants are autotrophic organisms and thus are capable of producing their food on their own. They require carbon dioxide, water, and sunlight for the photosynthesis process. The green pigment in plants called chlorophyll helps to conduct this process by converting carbon dioxide into sugar. Carbon dioxide along with water reacts to form glucose and oxygen as by-products or waste products. The respiration in plants happens through the breakdown of complex organic molecules into ATP. The process involves the utilization of glucose produced by photosynthesis. The waste products of respiration include carbon dioxide. Other excretory products released by plants are discussed as follows.
a. Tannin- Tannins are polyphenolic waste products of plants. These are found in leaf bud, seed, root tissues, and stem tissues, etc. They may also help to regulate plant growth and functions to provide protection against predation. Tannins are used in leather processing.
b. Oils- Some plants also produce essential oils stored as excretory products in leaves. Basil, lemon, eucalyptus, sunflower, etc. are some examples.
c. Toxic wastes- Plants also produce some toxic waste products that protect them from animals. These are widely used in medicine and beverage making. Examples are caffeine, morphine, etc.
d. Water- Excess water from the leaves and other plant parts is eliminated through the process of transpiration.
e. Latex- It is also a waste product of plants that are used to produce many materials. Rubber is obtained through latex processing. Mattresses, gloves, balloons, etc. are all made from latex.

Note: Except for the above-listed waste products the withered leaves, rotten fruits, etc. are also wastes of plants. This waste product forms the organic compost layer in forests. Fallen leaves, broken twigs, etc. decompose over time and convert into manure. Thus, plants as a whole are useful for humans and thus planted more and more.