Plants produce various secretions such as gums,resins,pectins,slimy fibre as in Okra,etc. not for our consumption,but for some ecological or physiological reason.There must be a reason for this also.Can anyone help me seek answer for this one?
2007-03-30 10:51:00 · 3 answers · asked by dynamiclol 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Botany
Good question.
"Many plant functions have been attributed to latex. Some regard it as a form of stored food, while others consider it an excretory product in which waste products of the plant are deposited. Still others believe it functions to protect the plant in case of injuries; drying to form a protective layer that prevents the entry of fungi and bacteria. Similarly, it may provide some protection against browsing animals, since in some plants latex is very bitter or even poisonous. It may be that latex fulfills all of these functions to varying degrees in the numerous plant species in which it occurs."
2007-03-30 13:01:55 · answer #1 · answered by gardengallivant 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
During WWII the scientists were glad some plants produce latex. When the Japanese overran some of the rubber plantations in Asia the United States was desparate to find a latex substitute. A sunflower relatative was found to produce latex and acreage was planted to grow more of it.
Apples have pectin and sometimes the sap of peach trees will ooze out forming small amounts of pectin. Pectin serves as a protectant to the plant by hardening and sealing out bacterial, molds and fungi that tend to attack plants. Latex acts similar to pectin and may be a good waterproofing material too. However different plants produce different qualities and quantities of sap some serve the same purpose but is composed of different molecules and compositions.
In the plant stems they have tracheids that make up xylem tissue. Tracheids are designed to help carry from the roots moisture. Some of the sap is very hydroscopic (very sticky) to help the sap travel upwards in the plant. In addition some sap have antifreeze to prevent ice crystals that damage plant cells.
As a rule white sap may be poisonous, but figs are an exception. Some saps are redish and some are clear. What does it all mean? It means that the world is a big place and there are vast varieties of things to learn. There are saps that are antidotes to poisons, antidotes to itches , resins to harden to form amber and pectins to make candies. This knowledge confers power to those who learn nature's secrets.
2007-03-30 15:20:20 · answer #2 · answered by Philip H 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
this is a secretory product stored in the plant body and comes to defend whenever it is being attack.
2007-03-30 11:44:56 · answer #3 · answered by moosa 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋