The element which is generally absorbed by plants along with Zn and causes “Ouch Ouch” disease in human beings is
- ATin (Sn)
- BCadmium (Cd)
- CMercury (Hg)
- DChromium (Cr)
Solution & Step-by-step Explanation
Element Absorption by Plants and Human Health Impacts
This section explains the element that plants absorb alongside Zinc (Zn) and its effect on human health, specifically the condition known as "Ouch Ouch" disease.
Understanding Plant Nutrient Absorption
Plants absorb various minerals from the soil necessary for their growth. Sometimes, elements with similar chemical properties can compete for uptake or be absorbed together. Zinc (Zn) is an essential micronutrient for plants. The question asks for an element that shares this absorption pathway with Zinc and has a toxic effect on humans.
"Ouch Ouch" Disease and Cadmium (Cd)
- Cadmium (Cd) is a heavy metal that often occurs alongside Zinc (Zn) ores in nature. Due to their similar chemical behaviour and ionic radii, plants can readily absorb Cadmium (Cd) from contaminated soil, sometimes alongside Zinc (Zn).
- When Cadmium (Cd) accumulates in the food chain, particularly in crops like rice grown in contaminated soil, it can be ingested by humans.
- Excessive Cadmium (Cd) intake leads to severe health problems, including kidney damage and bone demineralization.
- The condition known as "Ouch Ouch" disease (also known as Itai-itai disease in Japan) is a severe form of osteomalacia (softening of the bones) caused by chronic Cadmium (Cd) poisoning. The name reflects the intense pain experienced by the sufferers.
Analysis of Options
Let's analyze why Cadmium (Cd) is the correct answer:
- Cadmium (Cd): As explained above, Cadmium (Cd) is absorbed by plants along with Zinc (Zn) and is the causative agent of the "Ouch Ouch" disease in humans.
- Tin (Sn): Tin is not typically associated with absorption alongside Zinc (Zn) in plants or causing the "Ouch Ouch" disease.
- Mercury (Hg): Mercury poisoning affects the nervous system primarily and is not directly linked to absorption with Zinc (Zn) or the specific symptoms of "Ouch Ouch" disease.
- Chromium (Cr): While Chromium (Cr) has biological roles, it is not known for being absorbed with Zinc (Zn) or causing "Ouch Ouch" disease.
Conclusion
Based on the shared absorption pathway with Zinc (Zn) in plants and its direct link to causing "Ouch Ouch" disease through accumulation in the food supply, Cadmium (Cd) is the element described in the question.
This section explains the element that plants absorb alongside Zinc (Zn) and its effect on human health, specifically the condition known as "Ouch Ouch" disease.
Understanding Plant Nutrient Absorption
Plants absorb various minerals from the soil necessary for their growth. Sometimes, elements with similar chemical properties can compete for uptake or be absorbed together. Zinc (Zn) is an essential micronutrient for plants. The question asks for an element that shares this absorption pathway with Zinc and has a toxic effect on humans.
"Ouch Ouch" Disease and Cadmium (Cd)
- Cadmium (Cd) is a heavy metal that often occurs alongside Zinc (Zn) ores in nature. Due to their similar chemical behaviour and ionic radii, plants can readily absorb Cadmium (Cd) from contaminated soil, sometimes alongside Zinc (Zn).
- When Cadmium (Cd) accumulates in the food chain, particularly in crops like rice grown in contaminated soil, it can be ingested by humans.
- Excessive Cadmium (Cd) intake leads to severe health problems, including kidney damage and bone demineralization.
- The condition known as "Ouch Ouch" disease (also known as Itai-itai disease in Japan) is a severe form of osteomalacia (softening of the bones) caused by chronic Cadmium (Cd) poisoning. The name reflects the intense pain experienced by the sufferers.
Analysis of Options
Let's analyze why Cadmium (Cd) is the correct answer:
- Cadmium (Cd): As explained above, Cadmium (Cd) is absorbed by plants along with Zinc (Zn) and is the causative agent of the "Ouch Ouch" disease in humans.
- Tin (Sn): Tin is not typically associated with absorption alongside Zinc (Zn) in plants or causing the "Ouch Ouch" disease.
- Mercury (Hg): Mercury poisoning affects the nervous system primarily and is not directly linked to absorption with Zinc (Zn) or the specific symptoms of "Ouch Ouch" disease.
- Chromium (Cr): While Chromium (Cr) has biological roles, it is not known for being absorbed with Zinc (Zn) or causing "Ouch Ouch" disease.
Conclusion
Based on the shared absorption pathway with Zinc (Zn) in plants and its direct link to causing "Ouch Ouch" disease through accumulation in the food supply, Cadmium (Cd) is the element described in the question.