PLANT NUTRITION PROCESSES UNIT 2 The nutrition function PLANT NUTRITION PROCESSES Natural Science 2. Secondary Education

Plant nutrition processes UNIT 2 Plant nutrition processes 2. RESPIRATION 1. OBTAINING NUTRIENTS 3. SUBSTANCE DISTRIBUTION 1c Photosynthesis 1b Carbon dioxide (CO2) absorption 4. ELIMINATING WASTE MATTER 1a The absorption of water and mineral salts Click on each process to find out more Natural Science 2. Secondary Education

Water and mineral salts Go back to the Start menu UNIT 2 Plant nutrition processes 1a. The absorption of water and mineral salts Plants absorb water containing dissolved mineral salts from the soil. This is done through cells located at the end of the roots, called root hairs. The mixture of water and minerals absorbed by the roots is called xylem sap. Root hairs Water and mineral salts Xylem sap Natural Science 2. Secondary Education Go back to the Start menu

Go back to the Start menu UNIT 2 Plant nutrition processes 1b. Carbon dioxide (CO2) absorption Carbon dioxide enters the plant mainly through very small pores called stomata, which are found on the underside of the leaves. CO2 Location of the stomata on the leaf Stoma Natural Science 2. Secondary Education Go back to the Start menu

Go back to the Start menu UNIT 2 Plant nutrition processes 1c. Photosynthesis Photosynthesis takes place in the chloroplasts, which are located in the green parts of a plant. The water and carbon dioxide absorbed by the plant reach the chloroplasts and, with the energy from sunlight, are transformed into carbohydrates. Oxygen is produced as a by-product. The carbohidrates mix with the water in the leaf and form phloem sap. Solar energy Xylem sap Water and carbohydrates (phloem sap) Chloroplast Go back to the Start menu H2O + CO2 O2 Natural Science 2. Secondary Education

Go back to the Start menu UNIT 2 Plant nutrition processes 2. Respiration Plants are constantly respiring. This process is carried out by the mitochondria. The plant absorbs oxygen through the stomata and the root hairs. This oxygen reaches the mitochondria, where it is used to get energy from carbohydrates. CO2 and water are released. Oxygen Carbon dioxide Energy Carbohydrates Water Natural Science 2. Secondary Education Go back to the Start menu

Go back to the Start menu UNIT 2 Plant nutrition processes 3. Substance distribution Substances in the plant are transported through tube-shaped vessels which run along the stem, the branches and the leaf veins. Some vessels take the xylem sap from the roots to the green parts of the plant. Others distribute the phloem sap throughout the plant. Xylem sap Phloem sap Natural Science 2. Secondary Education Go back to the Start menu

Go back to the Start menu UNIT 2 Plant nutrition processes 4. Eliminating waste matter Plants eliminate waste in various ways: The oxygen from photosynthesis, the carbon dioxide from respiration and excess water are eliminated through the stomata. Plants store waste in the cells of old leaves and then they eliminate them. They can also release substances like latex and resin through cuts in the stem. Stomata Water Carbon dioxide Oxygen Cut Old leaves Natural Science 2. Secondary Education Go back to the Start menu