Nutrition in Plants
Green plants
prepare their own food. They make food in the presence of sunlight. Sunlight
provides energy, carbon dioxide and water are the raw materials and chloroplast
is the site where food is made.
Photosynthesis:- The process by which green plants prepare food is called
photosynthesis. During this process; the solar energy is converted into chemical
energy and carbohydrates are formed. Green leaves are the main sites of
photosynthesis. The green portion of the plant contains a pigment chloroplast;
which contains chlorophyll. The whole process of photosynthesis can be shown by
following equation:-
Steps of Photosynthesis:-
• Sunlight
activates chlorophyll; which leads to splitting of water molecule.
• The
hydrogen; released by splitting of water molecule is utilized for reduction of
carbon dioxide to produce carbohydrates.
• Oxygen is
the byproduct of photosynthesis.
•
Carbohydrate is subsequently converted into starch and is stored in leaves and
other storage parts.
• The
splitting of water molecules is part of the light reaction.
• Other steps
are part of the dark reaction during photosynthesis.
How do raw materials for photosynthesis become available to the plant?
• Water comes
from soil; through the xylem tissue in roots and stems.
• Carbon
dioxide comes in the leaves through stomata.
Significance of Photosynthesis:
•
Photosynthesis is the main way through which the solar energy is made available
for different living beings.
• Green
plants are the main producers of food in the ecosystem. All other organisms
directly or indirectly depend on green plants for food.
• The process
of photosynthesis also helps in maintaining the balance of carbon dioxide and
oxygen in the air.
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