Question

Plants yields latex is or are
A) Ficus
B) Sonchus
C) Calotropis
D) All of the above

Answer 1

Latex is a thick, rich white, smooth emulsion, or in some cases it might be a slight, clear, yellow or orange, watery suspension. It is found in some flowering plants. It consists of proteins, starch, alkaloids, oils, tannins, resins or gum which thickens on exposure to air. It is released at the site to injury.

Complete answer:
Latex is a two-phased system called colloids of small particles. It is usually found in nature like flowering plants and is in a form of liquid fluid.. These small particles are made of proteins, alkaloids, starches, sugars, oils, tannins, resins and gums that change their state to solid when exposed to air. It is usually exuded after tissue injury. The few plants which secrete latex are

Ficus elastic or rubber plant secretes milky white latex. This latex is usually used to make rubber.
Calotropis itself produces latex which is also known as milkweed. It can lead to corneal damage with dimness of vision. Sonchus is one of the plant families which contain milky latex in the stem. The latex is used for the treatment of warts.

Thus, the correct answer is option (D).

Note: The latex obtained from the rubber plant is used for making rubber. This rubber is used to make various products like balloons, pipes, tyres etc. The latex of the rubber plant is poisonous to humans and animals. The latex produced by several plants can cause itchy skin or hives. It can also cause life-threatening conditions like throat swelling or severe difficulty in breathing.