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The Significance of Wax Secretions in Plants & Animals

Though manufacturers have devised ways to create synthetic wax, many kinds of wax are a natural byproduct of plants and animals. The significance of wax differs depending on the creature that produces it. All kinds of organic wax have some kind of benefit to the producer, including wax produced by plants, humans and other animals. People have also devised a number of useful applications for these different waxes.

  1. Plants

    • There are a number of plants that produce wax, particularly in very hot or dry areas. The wax is used by plants to prevent water evaporation and to control hydration. It is often found coating plant leaves or inside the seeds, and can be found in sugarcane plants, palm trees, shrubs and grass, among others.

    Humans

    • One of the most well-known kinds of wax is that produced by humans in the ear canal. While ear wax may seem an annoyance to some people, it is actually a very important bodily secretion that helps clean out the ear and can even fight fungi and infections. Still, some people produce too much earwax, which can build up in the ear and eventually may need to be removed.

    Other Animals

    • Many other mammals also produce ear wax to help protect and lubricate the ears. Some animals also produce wax for different purposes. For example, bees produce large amounts of wax that they use for building honeycombs and hives. Sperm whales also produce wax, including the highly-valuable spermaceti for which they were widely hunted in the 1800s. While the exact significance of this spermaceti wax to the whale is unknown, researchers speculate that it helps the whale with buoyancy or with communication.

    Uses

    • Mankind has also attributed a special significance to many different kinds of wax that we can effectively manipulate for our benefit. Historically, humans have used organic waxes in products that include lubricants, varnishes, medicines, candles, cosmetics, and shampoos. Some of the most sought-after waxes have been spermaceti, beeswax, and the carnauba wax secreted from the leaves of the Brazilian palm tree.

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