Question

An antitranspirant is-
A. Cobalt chloride
B. Mercury
C. Potassium
D. Phenyl mercuric acetate

Answer 1

An antitranspirant is generally a term used in plants related to transpiration and very widely used to reduce transpiration. There are four chemical substances mentioned above, each with its own functions and functions associated with antitranspirants.

Complete answer:
Antitranspirants are certain materials or chemical compounds used to reduce the transpiration in the plants. They are applied to the plant leaves. Phenyl mercuric acetate is one such antitranspirant. Other examples of antitranspirants include abscisic acid, silicon oil, viscosity wax, carbon monoxide. These are also used to protect the leaves from fungal diseases and help them from getting dried quickly.
The antitranspirant moves to the stomata and prevents the intake of the potassium ions and reduces the loss of the potassium ions from the guard cells. They also stop the excretion of the hydrogen ions from the guard cells. They are classified into metabolic inhibitors and film-forming antitranspirants.
Therefore, the correct option is D. Phenyl mercuric acetate
Considering other options,
Cobalt chloride is used to indicate the presence of humidity in the atmosphere which is a reason for the transpiration. Although it is not an antitranspirant but is an indicator for the detection of transpiration.
Mercury is used in the thermometer to detect the temperature of the body. It generally detects the high temperatures or fluctuations in temperature of the body.
Potassium is present as a form of ion in the plants which participates in the photosynthesis process.

Note: Transpiration is defined as the process of excessive loss of water from the plants in the form of water vapors. Transpiration generally occurs more during the daytime, when the atmosphere is humid or there is high sunlight in the atmosphere. Antitranspirants are used to protect the plants from excessive loss of water from the plants.