Answers

Life Processes

Leaves of a healthy potted plant were coated with vaseline. Will this plant remain healthy for long? Give reasons for your answer

06/11/2024

Science

10th

Answers

No, the plant will not remain healthy for long if its leaves are coated with vaseline. Vaseline blocks the stomata, preventing gas exchange (carbon dioxide intake for photosynthesis and oxygen for respiration) and also disrupting transpiration, which is crucial for water and mineral transport. This will ultimately lead to the plant’s death.
Here’s a more detailed explanation:
Stomata blockage:
Vaseline creates a thick barrier on the leaf surface, sealing the stomata, the tiny pores responsible for gas exchange.
No photosynthesis:
With the stomata blocked, the plant cannot absorb carbon dioxide, a key ingredient for photosynthesis, preventing it from producing energy.
No respiration:
The lack of oxygen intake also hinders the plant’s respiration process, which is necessary for energy production.
No transpiration:
Transpiration, the process of water evaporation from leaves, is also disrupted, impacting the plant’s ability to transport water and nutrients from the roots.
Eventually, the plant dies:
Without these essential processes, the plant will not survive for long.

04/05/2025