Which of the following is/are the main absorbing organ/organs of plants?
Root only
Leaf only
Root and leaf only
Root, leaf and bark
Answer is Wrong!
Answer is Right!
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-2 – 2018
Roots are the primary organs for absorbing water and mineral nutrients from the soil. They are well-adapted for this function with root hairs increasing surface area.
Leaves are the primary organs for absorbing carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere, which is essential for photosynthesis. They also play a role in absorbing water vapor or even liquid water directly from the surface (e.g., dew), though this is usually not the main source of water compared to root absorption.
Bark, particularly older bark, is generally not a primary absorbing organ for water or nutrients from the substrate or air, although some gas exchange might occur through lenticels.
Considering the main substances absorbed by plants for their metabolism (water, minerals, CO₂), both roots (from soil) and leaves (from air) function as primary absorbing organs. Thus, “Root and leaf only” best describes the main absorbing organs among the given options.
– Leaves absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
– Both are essential absorptive processes for plant survival.
– Bark is generally not a primary absorbing organ.