Question

Silk, honey and lac are_______
A. Secretory substances of insects
B. Secretory substances of plants
C. Artificial chemicals
D. All of the above

Answer 1

Hint: Lac, Silk and Honey are products which are commonly used for the purpose of preparation of jewelry, cloth or food items respectively. These are obtained from members belonging to phylum Arthropoda, which is the most diverse and most abundantly found phylum.
Complete step-by-step answer: Silk a natural protein fiber is made by the silkworms which is majorly used in the production of clothes. Honey is prepared from the nectar obtained from flowers of various trees and it is produced by Honey bees. Lac is red colored resin which is produced by various lac insects and is used for making jewelries and is used for stamping purposes etc.
Silkworm secretes a sticky substance known as fibroin or silk from its silk glands along with some glue, which forms the cocoon of the insect. This cocoon when unwounded yields the fine thread of silk.
Honey is a sweet substance produced by the secretions of honey bees. Forager honey bees collect the nectar from the flowers and then transfer to the other hive bees. These hive bees secrete an enzyme invertase which converts the sucrose from the nectar into glucose and fructose which are sweet and important sources of energy. During winter, honey bees feed on this honey which is stored in the hexagonal cells of the beehive.
Lac is a resin which is secreted by certain glands present in the abdomen of the lac insect. This secretion takes place once the larva settles on the tender shoots of the tree. Initially it is a shining layer but as it comes in contact with air it hardens and makes a thick coating around the lac insect.
All of the above are secretions of insects hence, the correct option is A- Secretory substances of insects.
Note: Secretory substances of plants include rubber, latex, gum and other secondary metabolites which are used in various ways such as insulating material, adhesive material, for medicines etc. Artificial chemicals are not obtained from living organisms such as plants and animals but they are made using synthetic chemicals.