Plants are the eukaryotes, multicellular, photosynthetic organisms, which are grouped into a separate kingdom of Plantae. Alike animal’s plants do have a well-defined cell and its specialized organs, which are mainly associated with their cellular functions. Plants are the only living species that can synthesise their own food and this is mainly because of the presence of specialized structures in the plant cell.
Plants are beneficial for all living species, from a small bee to a human being in numerous ways, therefore it is called the gift of nature The plants help us by providing us with several necessities to fulfil our daily requirements, including the air, food, clothes, shelter, wood, medicine, etc.
There are more than 400,000 species of plants on this planet, and all play an important role in supporting life on Earth.by maintaining the quality of the atmosphere by releasing oxygen into the atmosphere, absorbing carbon dioxide, and a lot more.
Let us know more in detail about how plants play an important role in our life.
Plant and Food
Plants are essential for human nutrition. There are numerous plants and trees on this planet, which provides us with vegetables, fruits, seeds, species, essence, edible oils, beverages, and other food products.
Have you ever thought of cereals and where do we get cereals from?
Yes, cereals are the plant’s based food products.
What are cereals
Cereals are the source of carbohydrates which provides energy to living organisms. Wheat, Maize, Rice, corn, millets and Barley are examples of cereals produced from the plants.
Plants and Medicines
Plants are a great source of medicine. Since from our ancestor’s many life-threatening diseases were cured by preparing pastes from the roots, herbs, barks and some leaves of different plants. The planet earth has more than 90,000 species of edible plants, which are used in pharmaceutical industries for producing medicines. Aspirin, basil leaves, cinchona clove oil, and sandalwood, are all good examples of medicinal plants which are even used today in many pharmaceutical industries.
Plants and Industries
Other than food and medicines, plants and trees play an essential role in Industries. There are many fibrous materials obtained by huge trees, which are used for producing various industrial products including cosmetics, fabrics, furniture, paper, pencils, rubber, spices, and other household products. Perfumes and other essential oils are extracted from different parts of a flower and seeds.
There are different parts of plants, which are beneficial to humans in several ways.
For instance: Coconut tree.
This tree is generally known as the kalpavriksha or tree of life, as every part of this tree is useful for humans.
- The roots are used for making brush, dyes and other medicines.
- The trunk is used as good sources of timbers.
- The leaves are used as the roofing material for houses, preparing brooms, wrapping and also as a fuel for cooking.
- Coconut oil is extracted from the kernel or meat of matured coconuts and is used worldwide as a source of cooking oil, in medicines and other various applications.
- The Coconut fruit is used as an ingredient for preparing sweets, spicy powders, chutneys, curries and a lot more.
Apart from human uses, plants play a wide role in the continuity of life on the planet earth, involved in the exchange of gases in the atmosphere, involved in soil conservation, climatic changes, maintains the water cycle and also maintain the atmosphere.
Have you ever imagined how plants grow on the riverside, roadsides, in our gardens and in other places without the human’s help?
Yes, it is because of the pollination.
What is Pollination?
Pollination is the process of transferring pollen grains from one part to another part of the flower of the same plant or a different plant. More than half of the worlds trees, plants and other crops are because of the pollinating agents, such as wind, water, animals, birds, etc.
What is Pollination ? pollination plays a major role in the balance of nature. This is the only process, which helps in the survival of earth’s terrestrial ecosystems with its seed dispersals, propagation and a lot more.
This was a brief introduction to the importance of plants.
To learn more about the plants, and the related topic, visit us at BYJU’S BIOLOGY and also learn more by watching various Biology related videos by subscribing to the BYJU’S YouTube Channel.
