UPSC Prelims 2009 Q73: Science & Technology – Biology
Consider the following :
1. Camphor
2. Chicory
3. Vanilla
Which of the above is/are plant product(s) ?
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 3 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation
Which of these are plant products
Several everyday substances have specific plant-derived origins, worth verifying individually.
| Substance | Verdict | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Camphor | Correct | Camphor is derived from the camphor tree (Cinnamomum camphora), a genuine plant product |
| 2. Chicory | Correct | Chicory is a plant (root), often used as a coffee substitute/additive |
| 3. Vanilla | Correct | Vanilla flavouring comes from the vanilla orchid's seed pods, a genuine plant product |
Plant product facts:
| Substance | Plant source |
|---|---|
| Camphor | Camphor tree |
| Chicory | Chicory plant (root) |
| Vanilla | Vanilla orchid |
Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Substance 3 (vanilla) is also a plant product, so '1 and 2 only' is incomplete.
- (b) Incorrect. Substances 1 and 2 (camphor, chicory) are also plant products, so '3 only' is far too narrow.
- (c) Incorrect. Substance 2 (chicory) is also a plant product, so '1 and 3 only' wrongly excludes it.
- (d) CORRECT. All three — camphor, chicory, and vanilla — are genuine plant-derived products.
Key point
Camphor (from the camphor tree), chicory (a root plant), and vanilla (from the vanilla orchid) are ALL genuine plant products.
Remember
Camphor, chicory, and vanilla: all three are plant products.
Common mistakes
- Assuming camphor, often associated with chemical/synthetic uses, isn't naturally plant-derived.
- Not knowing chicory's status as an actual plant (often confused as purely a food additive).
- Underestimating how many everyday flavouring/aromatic substances trace back to plant sources.
Exam tip
Camphor, chicory, and vanilla are all genuine plant products — when a question lists several plausible plant-derived substances together, 'all of the above' is often correct.
Sources
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — camphor
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — chicory
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — vanilla