Other Uses of Plants and Animals: Definition, Uses & Examples

Other Uses of Plants and Animals: Have you ever wondered how we consume different types of food daily? We wear different clothes according to seasons and weather. Are humans dependent on plants and animals for their food and also for various other needs? The basic requirements for the survival of life are clothing, food, shelter, etc. We obtain various kinds of food and their products from different sources of plants and animals. Plant products like fruits, vegetables, cereals, pulses, etc., are rich in proteins, vitamins, and minerals. Animal products such as milk, egg, meat, etc., are also rich in many nutrients. Plants give us oxygen and present soil erosion apart from food and shelter. We get pearls from oysters. Let us read more about other uses of plants and animals in detail from the given below article.

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Useful Plants and Animals

Plants are useful to mankind in various ways. Plants are the main source of food, and they are used much for medicinal values in ancient times. Cereals, fruits, vegetables, etc., are edible sources of food. Plants like cotton, jute, etc., are used for making clothes. We can also use plant products like rubber and gum as industrial materials. Plants are not only extracted for food, clothing, etc. it is also used for making furniture.

Animals are useful to mankind in enormous ways. Humans domesticated animals from ancient times. Animals such as pigs, honey bees, cattle, goats, etc., provide us with food, medicine, clothing and also help with many more economic needs of humans. Some animals provide us with food like eggs, milk, meat, etc. Some animals are helpful in transportation, agriculture, and few animals have been used as medicinal resources to treat and relieve a myriad of illnesses and diseases, etc.

Different Uses of Plants to Humans

(a) Plants as a Source of Food: Plants are an important source of food for many living things. We get a few plant products that are edible as food sources. Cereals, vegetables, fruits, oil, etc., are a few examples of edible food sources.

1. Cereals: Cereals are an edible part of the grass plants, and it is also called grains. Few examples of cereals are rice, barley, corn, wheat, oats, etc.

Fig: Cereals

2. Pulses: Few examples of pulses include gram, pea, bean, cowpea, lentils, etc.

Fig: Pulses

3. Vegetables: Few examples of vegetables are onion, carrot, beetroot, spinach, pumpkin, tomatoes, etc.

Fig: Vegetables

4. Fruits: Few examples of fruits are mango, apple, grapes, orange, banana, watermelon, etc.

Fig: Fruits

5. Oils: Few examples of oilseeds are groundnut seeds, sunflower seeds, mustard, coconut, soybean, etc.

Fig: Oil Seeds

6. Spices: Few examples of spices are turmeric, saffron, mint, pepper, cinnamon, etc.

Fig: Spices

7. Beverages: Few examples of beverages are coffee, tea, hot chocolate, etc., and are obtained from different plant parts.

Fig: Beverages

(b) Plants as Source of Cloth: We wear clothes to protect our bodies from cold, rain, etc. Cotton plants are used to make cotton clothes. Many of the plant fibres like jute, hemp are also used to make useful products like carpets, bags, etc.

1. Plant Fibres: Fibre crops are used to make paper, clothes, ropes, bags, carpets, etc. Cotton is obtained from the hair of the seed coat of a cotton plant. It is used to make cotton clothes that are much preferable in the summer season. Jute fibre is obtained from the plant stem.
Examples: Cotton, hemp, jute, flax, etc.

Fig: Plant Fibres

(c) Plants as Source of Industrial Products:

1. Rubber: Rubber is a white milky substance or juice that is obtained from woody rubber plants. It is used to make or manufacture rubber tyres, tubes, etc.

Fig: Rubber

2. Gum: Keekar is widely used for the manufacture of gum. It is used for making paints, candies, soaps, etc.

Fig: Gum

3. Tannins: Tannins are extracted from bark, roots, and woods of a few trees. They are used in colouring materials, inks, dyes, etc.

4. Wood and Timber: Wood and timber are used for various purposes like fuel, for construction purposes, used as furniture such as tables, doors, windows, ships, boats, etc. Teak, pine, deodar, mango, etc., are the major trees used for wood and timber.

Fig: Wood and Timber

5. Medicines: Many plants are known for their medicinal values and are used from ancient times. Some medicinal plants and their medicinal properties are mentioned below.

Fig: Medicinal Plants

(d) Other Special Uses of Plants

1. We get beautiful flowers from plants that help in home decor and keep our minds calm.
2. We use few leaves like mint, tulsi, etc., as a flavour to food and even used as natural medicine.
3. We get good shelter and fresh air from plants.
4. We use a few leaves like bananas to consume traditional foods.
5. Bees collect nectar from different flowers to make honey.

Uses of Animals to Humans

1. For Food: Milk, egg, meat, etc., are obtained from animals. These are rich in different minerals and nutrients.

Fig: Source of Animal Food

2. For Manure: Animal dung is used as natural manure for plants.

Fig: Dung as a Manure

3. For Leather: The skin of a few animals is used for making clothes, bags, leather jackets, belts, etc.

Fig: Skin of Animals

4. For Clothes: Silkworms produce the silk used in making clothes, especially sarees. Wool, obtained from sheep, is used to make woollen garments.

Fig: Silkworm

5. For Carrying Load: Animals like a donkey, mule, camels, etc., are used for carrying loads.

Fig: Animals used for Carrying Loads

6. Animals as Mode of Transport: Few animals such as oxen, camels, horses are used as the mode of transportation.

Fig: Animals used for Transport

7. Animals In Agricultural Sustainability: The oxen, cows, etc., are used for ploughing the land during the preparation of soil. As already discussed, animals can be used additionally for manure, they can provide on-farm power, and other by-products are also obtained from them.

Fig: Animals used in Agriculture

Care for Animals

1. We should always love the animals and not harm them by burdening them with work or loads.
2. We should provide the animals with clean and healthy food. Do not feed cattle or any stray animals with spoiled food.
3. Do not make them work more than their capacity for human benefits.  We should always take care of their health and well-being.

Summary

Plants and animals are the two major food sources on which humans are dependent. Humans are dependent on plants and animals for food, shelter, clothes, ornaments, natural medicines, flavour for food, etc. We make many useful products from milk like sweets, curd, sweet lassi, paneer, ghee, butter, etc. Consuming fruits and vegetables in our regular diet keeps us healthy and fit since they are rich in proteins, vitamins, and minerals. The waste or the compost of the plants are future used as natural fertilisers. The dungs of the animals are also used as manure for the growth and development of plants. By using organic manures and fertilisers the soil fertility is enriched, and the prevention of soil pollution can be developed. We get fresh air from plants hence avoid cutting down trees.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Other Uses of Plants and Animals

Q.1. What are the 5 uses of plants?
Ans: The 5 uses of plants are:
1. Plants provide us with food.
2. Plants provide us shelter.
3. We get wood and timber from plants.
4. We obtain cotton clothes from cotton plants.
5. Few herbs are used for their medicinal value.

Q.2. What are the uses of animals?
Ans: We get food products like milk, egg, meat, etc., from animals. The skin of animals is used to make useful leather products like bags, belts, shoes, etc. Animals can also be used for transportation and carrying a load.

Q.3. How are animals used by humans?
Ans: The animals are used for transport, for carrying a load, etc., apart from the source of food and cloth fibres.

Q.4. What are the 3 benefits of plants?
Ans: The 3 benefits of plants apart from food and clothing are:
1. We get oxygen from the plants.
2. Plants are homes to many birds and animals.
3. Plants waste can be used as manures.

Q.5. Why do we need trees?
Ans: Trees are useful to mankind and animals in various ways like providing food, wood, timber, shelter to birds and animals. Growing trees to prevent soil erosion. Plants are also necessary to maintain the water cycle and oxygen and carbon dioxide balance in nature.

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