Natural rubber is obtained from which among the following?

The correct answer is latex.

Key Points

• Natural rubber is harvested from the latex of rubber trees, specifically from the Hevea brasiliensis species.
• Latex is a milky fluid found in the inner bark of the rubber tree and is extracted through a process known as tapping.
• After collection, latex is coagulated and processed into various forms of rubber, including sheets, blocks, and crepes.
• Natural rubber is highly valued for its elasticity, resilience, and tensile strength, making it essential in various industries, particularly automotive and manufacturing.

Additional Information

• Hevea brasiliensis: The primary source of natural rubber, this species of rubber tree is native to the Amazon rainforest but is now widely cultivated in Southeast Asia, Africa, and other tropical regions.
• Tapping: The process of extracting latex involves making incisions in the bark of the rubber tree and collecting the fluid in containers.
• Coagulation: The process where latex is treated with acids to solidify it, forming raw rubber that can be processed into various products.
• Uses of Natural Rubber: It is used in the production of tires, footwear, medical devices, and numerous industrial products due to its unique properties.
• Synthetic Rubber: An alternative to natural rubber, synthesized from petroleum byproducts. While it has some similar properties, it lacks the full range of benefits of natural rubber.