The secrets of plants, what beneficial substances can they release? Unveiling the magical effects of substances released by plants!

Introduction to the contents:

Oxygen Negative oxygen ions Plant essential oils Plant hormones Plant volatile organic compounds Plant antimicrobial substances Plant toxins

Plants, one of the oldest organisms on Earth, not only provide us with food, oxygen, and beautiful scenery but also perform many magical roles invisibly. What do plants release? What are the functions of the substances they emit? Let's unveil this mysterious veil.

Oxygen

Through photosynthesis, plants convert carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and glucose, releasing them into the air. According to the World Health Organization, plants on Earth release about 550 million tons of oxygen annually, providing an essential element for the survival of humans and other organisms.

Negative oxygen ions

During their growth, plants release a substance called negative oxygen ions. Negative oxygen ions can purify the air, enhance the body's immunity, and improve sleep. Studies show that environments with a high concentration of negative oxygen ions are highly beneficial to human health.

Plant essential oils

Plant essential oils are volatile substances released by plants that have unique aromas and medicinal values. Essential oils contain various beneficial components, such as monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, phenolic compounds, etc., which have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antidepressant effects.

Plant hormones

Plant hormones are biologically active substances in plants that can regulate plant growth and development. Plant hormones mainly include auxins, cytokinins, gibberellins, abscisic acid, etc., which play important roles in plant growth, flowering, fruiting, and other processes.

Plant volatile organic compounds

Plant volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a class of volatile organic compounds, including terpenes, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, etc. These compounds have unique aromas and have calming, soothing, and invigorating effects on humans.

Plant antimicrobial substances

Plants contain a variety of antimicrobial substances, such as alkaloids, phenolic compounds, terpenoids, etc., which can inhibit the growth of bacteria, fungi, and viruses, and are significant for human health.

Plant toxins

Although most of the substances released by plants are beneficial to humans, some plants also release toxins, such as toxic mushrooms and toxic arrowwoods. The toxins they release are extremely harmful to humans.

Plants can release many beneficial substances, such as oxygen, negative oxygen ions, plant essential oils, plant hormones, plant volatile organic compounds, plant antimicrobial substances, etc. These substances play important roles in improving air quality, enhancing human immunity, and regulating plant growth and development. We should also be vigilant about the dangers of plant toxins and avoid contact with toxic plants.

References:

1. World Health Organization. (2019). Global Environmental Status Report. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/global-environmental-status-report

2. Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences. (2018). Plant Physiology. Beijing: Science Press.