Plants-and-human-affairs/”>Usefulness Of Plants And Human Affairs (utility)
Food
Plants are the main source of food for humans. Plants, unlike humans and animals, manufacture their own food. They do so by the process known as Photosynthesis in their green leaves by use of sunlight. They can convert and store the Light energy in the form of Carbohydrates. This process takes place in the leaves (chlorophyll) by use of carbon-dioxide and water.
From this manufactured food, they consume some of it and store the remaining. This is stored in the form of fruits, seeds, tuberous roots, etc. This fruits and other parts of plants are consumed by humans. The food is in the form of vegetables, fruits, grains, Cereals, leaves, seeds, mushrooms, etc.
Clothing
Plants are the largest providers of textile and fabric material. These materials are eco-friendly, compatible and less expensive. So they are used for making cloth and bedding material which is required by humans.
Furniture & Shelter
Plants are the important source of furniture. The plant wood is used to build houses and also to make other furniture items. We use wood for the purpose due to its features like durability, stylish finishing, resistance to temperature changes, etc. The trees like teak, neem, red sandal, etc. are good sources of wood for making doors, chairs, shelves, tables, etc.
Even the presence of plants around the area of human life relieves Stress. Hence we see many people growing small plants in their household to get fresh air and also give naturalness.
Flowers
Flowers are used widely by humans. They are used for beauty, to convey feelings and also for their fragrance. In some countries, they worn as garlands and even in the hair on the head for beauty. While some use them to convey their love to their beloved ones. They are also used to produce fragrance, and even their scent is extracted for daily use.
Natural pesticide
Plants are also the source of insecticides and pesticides. Using artificial pesticides are harmful to the Environment. They may even enter food causing Health issue to human and animals. Using these naturally derived pesticides are safe. They degrade with time and even do not harm the Soil. Ex: Pyrethrin (as Mosquito repellant), Neem, bacteria, etc.
Biofuels
Some plants are also grown for the sake of bio-fuels. The plant’s fuel is less toxic since it does not emit harmful gasses and also less expensive. Even the plant waste is used to generate electricity.
Economic contribution
Plants are great contributors to an economy. Many countries rely on agriculture as one of the main sources of revenue. Plants are responsible for the production of food, cosmetics, drugs, cloth, honey, gum, tannins, essential oils (perfumes), alkaloids, resins, etc. which are all Money yielding. So plants provide a great contribution to economic Growth. Even now many countries economies are primarily dependent on plant products.
Importance of Plants in nature
Environment and the Climate are interlinked mainly with plants. The presence of plants influences Rainfall, humidity, and temperature. Cutting down plants also imbalance the environment which will indirectly affect human life.
In cities and towns, there is a rise in gaseous pollution like(CO2, CO, SO2, etc.). So city environments are highly polluted and unsafe for living. This is due to automobiles and factories ejecting toxic gases and also reducing the healthy Oxygen ratio of air. Air Pollution causes diseases of various types. So growing plants on the roadside, parks, etc. helps minimize the gaseous pollution. For the benefit of plants oxygen, they can even be grown in office, residential areas, Education institutes, etc. For this, we can use low maintenance plants like indoor potted plants, hanging plants, etc.
Miscellaneous benefits
They are the source of essential oils which are used in perfumes. Their material is used for making beverages like wine, beer, etc. Other items like paper, bio-diesel, bio-manure are also obtained by use of plant material. So they contribute to all the types of living beings either big or small, on land or water. But given the vast importance of plants to human, we need to strive for plant conservation.,
Plants are an essential part of our world. They provide us with food, medicine, fuel, and many other products. They also play a vital role in the environment, helping to regulate the climate and provide habitat for wildlife.
There are many different types of plants, each with its own unique set of characteristics. Some plants are edible, while others are poisonous. Some plants are used to make medicine, while others are used to make fuel or industrial products. Some plants are beautiful and are grown for ornamental purposes, while others are considered Weeds and are unwanted.
Here is a brief overview of some of the most common types of plants:
- Food plants include a wide variety of plants that are used as food for humans or animals. Some common food plants include fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes.
- Medicinal plants are plants that are used to make medicine. Many traditional medicines are made from plants, and modern medicine also uses plants to produce some of its drugs.
- Fiber plants are plants that are used to make fibers, such as Cotton or linen. These fibers are used to make a variety of products, including clothing, paper, and building materials.
- Ornamental plants are plants that are grown for their beauty. These plants are often used in gardens and landscaping.
- Fuel plants are plants that are used to make fuel, such as wood or ethanol. These fuels can be used to power vehicles, heat homes, and generate electricity.
- Industrial plants are plants that are used to make industrial products, such as rubber or paper. These products are used in a variety of industries, including construction, manufacturing, and transportation.
In addition to these common types of plants, there are many other types of plants that have specialized uses. For example, some plants are used to make dyes, while others are used to make perfumes. Some plants are used to make building materials, while others are used to make paper. And some plants are used to make Musical instruments, while others are used to make toys.
Plants are an essential part of our world. They provide us with food, medicine, fuel, and many other products. They also play a vital role in the environment, helping to regulate the climate and provide habitat for wildlife. We should all do our part to protect plants and to use them wisely.
In addition to the many beneficial plants that exist, there are also a number of harmful plants. These plants can be poisonous, invasive, or allergic.
- Poisonous plants contain toxins that can harm or kill humans or animals. Some common poisonous plants include poison ivy, poison oak, and jimson weed.
- Invasive plants are plants that are not native to an area and can outcompete native plants, causing harm to the environment. Some common invasive plants include kudzu, purple loosestrife, and garlic mustard.
- Allergic plants are plants that can cause allergic reactions in some people. Some common allergic plants include ragweed, poison ivy, and oak.
- Weeds are plants that grow where they are not wanted, such as in gardens or fields. Weeds can compete with crops for water and nutrients, and they can also harbor pests and diseases.
- Narcotic plants are plants that contain drugs that can cause addiction or other harmful effects. Some common narcotic plants include opium poppy, marijuana, and coca.
It is important to be aware of the harmful plants that exist in your area. If you are unsure whether a plant is poisonous or invasive, it is best to err on the side of caution and avoid it.
What are some useful plants?
There are many useful plants, including:
- Food plants: These plants provide us with food, such as fruits, vegetables, grains, and nuts.
- Fiber plants: These plants provide us with fiber, which is important for digestion.
- Medicine plants: These plants are used to make medicines, such as aspirin and quinine.
- Fuel plants: These plants are used to make fuel, such as ethanol and biodiesel.
- Ornamental plants: These plants are used to make our homes and gardens more beautiful.
What are some harmful plants?
There are also many harmful plants, including:
- Poisonous plants: These plants contain toxins that can make us sick or even kill us.
- Invasive plants: These plants are not native to an area and can outcompete native plants, causing harm to the environment.
- Allergic plants: These plants can cause allergic reactions in some people.
What are the benefits of plants?
Plants provide us with many benefits, including:
- Food: Plants provide us with the food we need to survive.
- Oxygen: Plants produce oxygen, which we need to breathe.
- Clean air: Plants filter the air and remove pollutants.
- Water purification: Plants help to purify water.
- Soil stabilization: Plants help to stabilize soil and prevent erosion.
- Climate regulation: Plants help to regulate the climate.
- Erosion control: Plants help to control erosion.
- Pollination: Plants provide food for pollinators, such as bees and butterflies.
- Habitat: Plants provide habitat for many animals.
- Recreation: Plants provide us with places to relax and enjoy nature.
- Education: Plants can be used to teach us about science, nature, and the environment.
- Economics: Plants provide us with jobs and products, such as food, fuel, and medicine.
What are the dangers of plants?
Plants can also be dangerous, including:
- Poisonous plants: Some plants contain toxins that can make us sick or even kill us.
- Invasive plants: Some plants are not native to an area and can outcompete native plants, causing harm to the environment.
- Allergic plants: Some plants can cause allergic reactions in some people.
- Fire hazards: Some plants are highly flammable and can pose a fire hazard.
- Physical hazards: Some plants have sharp thorns or spines that can cause injury.
- Toxic fumes: Some plants produce toxic fumes that can be harmful to humans and animals.
How can we avoid the dangers of plants?
There are a few things we can do to avoid the dangers of plants:
- Learn about poisonous plants: It is important to learn about poisonous plants in your area so that you can avoid them.
- Be careful when handling plants: If you are not sure whether a plant is poisonous, it is best to avoid handling it.
- Wear gloves when handling plants: If you must handle plants, it is a good idea to wear gloves to protect your skin.
- Keep children and pets away from poisonous plants: It is important to keep children and pets away from poisonous plants.
- Be careful when burning plants: Some plants produce toxic fumes when they are burned. It is important to take precautions when burning plants, such as burning them in a well-ventilated area.
Question 1
Which of the following is not a useful plant?
(A) Cotton
(B) Wheat
(C) Rice
(D) Poison ivy
Answer
(D) Poison ivy is a harmful plant.
Question 2
Which of the following is not a harmful plant?
(A) Tomato
(B) Potato
(C) Eggplant
(D) Belladonna
Answer
(D) Belladonna is a harmful plant.
Question 3
Which of the following is not a utility of plants for mankind?
(A) Food
(B) Medicine
(C) Clothing
(D) Shelter
Answer
(C) Clothing is not a utility of plants for mankind.
Question 4
Which of the following is not a food that comes from plants?
(A) Rice
(B) Wheat
(C) Corn
(D) Meat
Answer
(D) Meat does not come from plants.
Question 5
Which of the following is not a medicine that comes from plants?
(A) Aspirin
(B) Codeine
(C) Morphine
(D) Penicillin
Answer
(D) Penicillin does not come from plants.
Question 6
Which of the following is not a clothing material that comes from plants?
(A) Cotton
(B) Wool
(C) Silk
(D) Leather
Answer
(D) Leather does not come from plants.
Question 7
Which of the following is not a shelter material that comes from plants?
(A) Wood
(B) Brick
(C) Clay
(D) Straw
Answer
(B) Brick does not come from plants.
Question 8
Which of the following is not a way that plants are used to produce energy?
(A) Burning wood
(B) Burning coal
(C) Burning oil
(D) Burning natural gas
Answer
(A) Burning wood is a way that plants are used to produce energy.
Question 9
Which of the following is not a way that plants are used to make paper?
(A) Pulping wood
(B) Pulping cotton
(C) Pulping rice
(D) Pulping wheat
Answer
(C) Pulping rice is not a way that plants are used to make paper.
Question 10
Which of the following is not a way that plants are used to make plastics?
(A) Using oil from plants
(B) Using starch from plants
(C) Using cellulose from plants
(D) Using lignin from plants
Answer
(D) Using lignin from plants is not a way that plants are used to make plastics.