Multicellular organisms possess different excretory organs for removal of waste materials from the body. Structural and functional complexity of excretory organs increases from sponges to humans.
Sponges and coelenterates do not have specific excretory organs as water bathes almost all their cells.
Excretory structures appear for the first time in Flatworms (Platyhelminthes) are known as flame cells. Now let us see how this vital process takes place in plants

Excretion and release of substance in plants

Do plants excrete like animals?

We are amazed to answer such type of questions. You are aware that a variety of end products are formed during metabolism and these nitrogenous wastes are important. Plants does not have specific organs to excrete these wastes. Plants break down waste substances at much slower rate than in animals. Hence accumulation of waste is also much slower. Green plants in darkness and plants that do not possess chlorophyll produce carbon dioxide and water as respiratory waste products.
Oxygen itself can be considered as a waste product generated during photosynthesis, that exits out side through stomata of leaves and lenticels of stem.

How do the plants manage or send out waste products from its body? Plants can get rid of excess water by a process like transpiration and guttation. Waste products may be stored in leaves, bark, and fruits. When these dead leaves, bark, and ripe fruits fall off from the tree then waste products in them are get rid off. Waste gets stored in the fruits in the form of solid bodies called Raphides.
However several compounds are synthesized by the plants for their own use especially for defence. Many plants synthesize chemicals and store them in roots, leaves, seeds, etc., for protection against herbivores. Most of the chemicals are unpleasant to taste. Hence, herbivores usually do not prefer to eat such plants. Some of the chemicals are toxic and may even kill the animal that eats them.

Think and Discuss

Why are weeds and wild plants not affected by insects and pests?
Some of the plants secrete chemicals when injured. These chemicals seal the wound and help the plant to recover from an injury. Some of the plants release attractants for other organisms which will help the plants for pollination, seed dispersal or even in their nutrition. For example, plants



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