Question

In plants, waste products like resin and gum are stored in:

• A. The falling leaves
• B. Old xylem
• C. Phloem
• D. Cellular vacuoles

Hint:

Plants store waste like resins and gums in old/dead xylem vessels, which are no longer functional in transport.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

In plants, the management and storage of waste products is an essential process. Specific waste products like resin and gum are stored in the plant's tissues where they do not harm the plant's active processes. Here are the reasons why old xylem is the correct pathway for storage:

• Old Xylem: The xylem is a tissue in plants responsible for the transport of water. Over time, the older parts of xylem become non-functional for transport and get filled up with waste substances like resin and gum. These substances help in making the old xylem rigid and prevent decay by acting as a deterrent against pests and microbial attacks.
• Other Options:
  • The Falling Leaves: Leaves do participate in waste storage through their eventual drop, carrying some waste products with them. However, they do not specifically store resin and gum.
  • Phloem: This tissue is primarily responsible for the transport of nutrients and organic molecules, not waste products like resins or gums.
  • Cellular Vacuoles: While vacuoles serve as storage areas for various substances including waste, the storage of large, complex waste products like resin and gum is less typical in vacuoles compared to old xylem.

The storage of resin and gum in old xylem is an adaptation that ensures these waste products do not interfere with the plant’s vital functions, while also offering protection to the plant structure.