Plants and Photosynthesis

How do plants make their own food? Plants are autotrophic – This means they make their own food. The way plants make their own food is through a process called Photosynthesis

carbon dioxide (from the air) water (from the soil) One of the raw materials that plants need to make food does come from the soil, the other comes from the air. What are these two raw materials called? carbon dioxide (from the air) water (from the soil) Plants use carbon dioxide and water to make their own food in a chemical reaction. What is the name of this reaction? Photosynthesis

light energy carbon dioxide (from the air) water (from the soil) Plants need energy for photosynthesis to take place. Where does this energy come from? light energy carbon dioxide (from the air) water (from the soil) The energy for photosynthesis comes from the Sun. Where in a plant does photosynthesis take place?

Photosynthesis takes place in the chloroplast found in plant cells. Notice that plant cells have many chloroplast in them.

light energy (radiant ) What are the products of photosynthesis? light energy (radiant ) Glucose (chemical energy) carbon dioxide (from the air) oxygen water (from the soil) What type of energy transformation occurs during photosynthesis? Radiant / light energy to chemical energy

light energy carbon dioxide (from the air) glucose oxygen water Plant cells in the upper surface of leaves have chloroplasts which contain the green pigment called chlorophyll. light energy carbon dioxide (from the air) chlorophyll glucose oxygen water (from the soil) It is chlorophyll that absorbs light/radiant energy from the Sun to make photosynthesis happen.

carbon dioxide water glucose oxygen Plants make their own food by the process of photosynthesis. In this chemical reaction, chlorophyll in plant cells absorbs light energy to change carbon dioxide and water into glucose and the by-product oxygen. What is the word equation for photosynthesis? light energy carbon dioxide water glucose oxygen chlorophyll This equation can be read as: “carbon dioxide and water, in the presence of light energy and chlorophyll, produces glucose and oxygen”.

Cellular Respiration Mitochondria give animal and plant cells energy by breaking down glucose to release energy. Cellular respiration is a process that uses the products of photosynthesis to produce energy. What part of the cell helps produce energy? What process produces energy?

Cycle of Carbon Dioxide and Glucose Cellular Respiration: C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O Photosynthesis: 6CO2 + 6H2O + energy from the sun→C6H12O6 + 6O2

Leaves are small ‘factories’ that produce food for plants by photosynthesis. Leaves are adapted so that photosynthesis can take place. Plants need carbon dioxide, water, sunlight and chlorophyll to carry out this important process. What features of leaves make them suitable for photosynthesis?

The features of leaf that make it suitable for photosynthesis are: A leaf is broad and flat to capture lots of sunlight. carry water to the leaf and take food from the leaf to the rest of the plant. Veins also help to support the leaf. Certain plant cells contain chloroplasts with chlorophyll. Small holes called stomata in the underside of a leaf allow gases in and out. Veins

How does water enter a plant? Water is one of the raw materials needed for plants to carry out photosynthesis. How does water enter a plant? Water from the soil enters a plant through the roots. You can’t normally see them but roots are a very important part of a plant. Why are roots branched and spread out through the soil?

How are roots adapted? water Roots are branched and spread out for two reasons: to absorb water (and mineral salts) from a large amount of soil. to anchor the plant in the soil. Taking a closer look, roots are covered in root hair cells. Root hair cells have thin walls and a large surface area to help them absorb lots of water. How are roots adapted to their job? water

Why do plants need water? Water is needed by plants for photosynthesis but this important liquid is also used in many other ways: to provide dissolved minerals that keep the plants healthy; to transport substances around the plant; to keep the plant rigid and upright; to keep the plant cool; to allow other chemical reactions to occur in plant cells. What happens to a plant if it does not get enough water?

Glossary chlorophyll – The green pigment inside chloroplasts that plants need for photosynthesis to take place. chloroplast – The part of a plant cell where photosynthesis occurs. glucose – The sugar plants make during photosynthesis. palisade cell – A type leaf cell with lots of chloroplasts. photosynthesis – The process by which plants use carbon dioxide and water to produce glucose and oxygen in the presence of light and chlorophyll. starch – Extra glucose from photosynthesis is stored as this substance which can be tested for with iodine. stomata – Small holes in the lower surface of a leaf that allow gases in and out. xylem – Tubes in veins that carry water around a plant.