Human beings make use of a number of excreta (waste products of the metabolism) produced by plants. Here are a few of them:
- Oxygen is the most useful excreta of plants and is essential for life on Earth. Oxygen is produced through the process of photosynthesis, in which, plants utilize carbon dioxide and water (in the presence of sunlight) and produce oxygen and glucose.
- Leaves and bark of the plants also store waste products and are periodically shed off. These leaves and barks and other plant products/wastes are converted to manure and is used in agriculture and gardening.
- Tannin is a waste product of plants and is stored in leaves and bark. Tea leaves contain tannins and are used around the world to make tea.
- Certain essential oils are also generated as waste products by plants and are stored in leaves. Some common examples include Basil, lemon, eucalyptus, etc. Many of these leaves are used in our food and/or for fragrance.
- Some plants generate toxic waste products, which are useful to human beings. Caffeine, morphine and nicotine are examples of such wastes and are used in beverages, medicines, etc.
Hope this helps.
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