Question

Gums and resins are _____ products of plants.

(A) Food

(B) Accessory

(C) Waste

(D) None of the above

Answer 1

Gums and resins are synthesized by plants. They are accumulated in the inner regions of the tree trunk and are often exuded out as a result of injury to the tree. Different types of tree species produce different gums or resins. These can be utilized by humans for the production of useful products like pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, etc.

Complete answer:

Gums and resins are the products of dicotyledonous plants. These are modifications of medullary ray cells and cells of pith. These cells are transformed to a mucilaginous substance and hence stored in the inner regions of the trunk. The inner region of the trunk, also known as heartwood, is dark brown in colour due to the deposition of materials such as resins, gums, tannins, essential oils, and aromatic compounds. When there is some injury to the inner regions of the stem, in response to this injury, the produced gums and resins are released out of the plant.

Since they are produced in inner regions and exuded out in response to injury, these are generally considered as waste products. In a few cases, gums and resins are found naturally exuding out of the stem. But these waste products can be utilized by humans for the production of useful products such as cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, varnishes, rubber, etc.

Hence the correct answer is option (C)

Note: Gums and resins majorly consist of sugars (cellulose) since they are formed from the decomposition of cellulose through a process called gummosis. Even though they are considered as waste products, these substances make the inner regions of the trunk hard, durable, and resistant to microbial degradation and insect attacks.