cotton
Definition
Cotton is a natural fibre that is made up of cellulose. Cellulose is a type of carbohydrate that is found in many plants. The cotton plant produces cellulose fibres that are very strong and flexible. These fibres are what make cotton such a versatile material.
Cotton is grown in many countries around the world. The United States, China, and India are the world's leading producers of cotton. Cotton is a very important crop, and it is a major source of income for many people around the world.
Cotton is used to make a wide variety of products, including clothing, textiles, home furnishings, and medical products. It is also used to make paper and other industrial products.
Cotton is a sustainable material. It can be grown without using pesticides or herbicides. It is also a renewable resource, which means that it can be replanted and harvested year after year.
How can the word be used?
The cotton plant is a warm-weather crop that is grown in many parts of the world.
Different forms of the word
Noun: cotton.
Adjective: cottony.
Verb: cotton, cottoned, cottoning.
Pronoun: cotton.
Etymology
The word "cotton" comes from the Arabic word "qutn" or "qutun". This was the usual word for cotton in medieval Arabic. Marco Polo in chapter 2 in his book, describes a province he calls Khotan in Turkestan, today's Xinjiang, where cotton was grown in abundance. The word entered the Romance languages in the mid-12th century, and English a century later. Cotton fabric was known to the ancient Romans as an import, but cotton was rare in the Romance-speaking lands until imports from the Arabic-speaking lands in the later medieval era at transformatively lowered prices.
Question
Look at the clothing you are wearing. What items contain cotton?
AQA Science Exam Question and Answer
Question:
Cotton is one of the most widely used natural fibres in the world. Explore its unique properties and explain why it is preferred for various applications in the textile industry.
Answer:
Cotton is a versatile natural fibre derived from the cotton plant's seedpods. It possesses several unique properties that make it highly preferred in the textile industry.
Firstly, cotton fibres have excellent breathability. They allow air to pass through, making cotton fabrics comfortable to wear, especially in warm climates.
Secondly, cotton is absorbent. It can hold a significant amount of moisture, making it an ideal choice for towels, bathrobes, and other absorbent products.
Thirdly, cotton fibres are soft and gentle on the skin. This quality makes cotton fabrics suitable for clothing, especially for people with sensitive skin.
Another advantage of cotton is its durability. Cotton fibres can withstand repeated washing and maintain their strength, which contributes to the longevity of cotton-based products.
Cotton is also biodegradable, meaning it can naturally decompose over time, reducing its impact on the environment compared to synthetic fibres.
The combination of breathability, absorbency, softness, durability, and biodegradability makes cotton an excellent choice for various applications in the textile industry, including clothing, home textiles, and medical products. Its natural properties have made it a staple material that continues to be in high demand worldwide.