Chapter 9

NCERT
Class 11
Biology
Solutions
Find out how much cellulose is made by all the plants in the biosphere and compare it with how much of paper is manufactured by man_etc?

Question:

Find out how much cellulose is made by all the plants in the biosphere and compare it with how much of paper is manufactured by man and hence what is the consumption of plant material by man annually. What a loss of vegetation!

Answer:

Plants produce millions of tons of cellulose every year through photosynthesis. Cellulose is the main structural component of plant cell walls and is one of the most abundant natural polymers on Earth. Humans use only a small fraction of this cellulose, but its impact is significant.

Key points:

  • Cellulose production by plants: Millions of tons annually, forming the backbone of plant tissues.
  • Human use of cellulose: Used in paper, textiles, cardboard, and industrial products.
  • Impact on vegetation: Excessive extraction without sustainable practices leads to deforestation and ecosystem loss.
  • Annual consumption: Even small fractions of cellulose usage translate into large-scale harvest of plant material every year.
  • Sustainability message: Recycling, sustainable forestry, and careful resource use are important to protect forests and reduce vegetation loss.

While cellulose is naturally abundant, human consumption has a big role in vegetation loss, making sustainable practices crucial for the environment.