Question

Which would do maximum harm to the tree?
A. Loss of half of its leaves
B. Loss of half of its branches
C. Loss of all of its leaves
D. Loss of all its bark

Answer 1

Hint: Trees produce their food by converting the sunlight into chemical energy by the process of photosynthesis. It is one of the crucial processes for the survival of living organisms.

Complete answer:
Trees are tall land plants which live about hundreds of years. They have a height of about 15 feet when fully mature and are found in maximum numbers. Trees help in the production of oxygen, conservation of water, preventing soil erosion, providing habitat to flora and fauna and balancing the nature. Parts of a tree: Roots, Crown and Trunk
Roots: Roots are beneath the surface of ground. The initial root grows horizontally down with lateral roots originating from taproots. Roots help in the absorption of water and minerals and it anchors the tree to soil.
Trunk: is a single stem or multi stem which helps in transportation and support. It contains: Bark, cambium and xylem.
Bark: Bark is an outer part of woody stems. Bark contains outer and inner layers (known as phloem). Outer layer is composed of dead cells and inner bark has tubes which move the food from leaves to the whole tree. Bark prevents the trees from bacterial infections, wear and tear and water loss and it shelters the cambium (living tissue) from the damage. Cambium helps the plant to make new cells and provides strength to the plant.
Crown: Crown is the top part of the tree with many sizes and shapes. It contains Branches, Leaves, flowers and Fruits.
Branch: Branch is a thick part of a tree which exists from the middle wooden axis. It distributes the leaves according to the type of tree and ecology. Branches also help in storing extra sugar.
Leaf: Leaf is a green part of a plant. The main work of leaf is to synthesize food. The synthesis of food occurs by chlorophyll, carbon dioxide and water resulting in sugar and oxygen and the process is known as photosynthesis. Sugar is the food which is very crucial for the survival of plants. Oxygen is the by-product evolved from photosynthesis and it helps in making the air fresh. Chlorophyll is the green pigment which gives the green colour in the plant. Chlorophyll absorbs red or blue light and reflects green light because of which leaves appear to be green in colour. The actual production of photosynthesis takes place inside the mesophyll cells of leaf. Leaves contain different layers which helps in sheltering the leaves from the pest. The exchange of gases carbon dioxide and water takes place in the stomata. Stomata is situated on the leaf which reduces the water loss. Besides the synthesis of food leaves also helps in cleaning the dust from the air, it keeps the plant calm by the loss of water. Hence, leaves are the crucial part of a tree for maintaining the energy and the survival and overall health of the tree.

Therefore, the correct answer is option C.

Note: Photosynthesis occurs in the organelle called chloroplast. Chloroplast cells are seen in mesophylls of leaves. Chloroplast is a double membrane with outer and inner membrane containing thylakoid in which chlorophyll is present. Chlorophyll provides the green colour to the plant and helps in the interaction of plant and light for the Electron Transport chain.