Photosynthesisor

How Plants Make Food

Energy from the Sun is necessary to begin the process.

Besides green plants, some algae and some bacteria can also make their own food.

Radiant energy from the Sun, in the form of light, begins photosynthesis.

Chlorophyll must also be present

Water is taken into the plant by the roots and carried to the leaves through the xylem .

H20H20 H20

Xylem is a series of tubes.

Carbon dioxide gas (CO2) is taken into the plant through the stomata on the underside of leaves.

H20H20 H20

CO2

CO2

CO2

Oxygen gas (O2) is released into the atmosphere through the stomata on theunder side of leaves.

H20H20 H20

O2

O2

O2

Water vapor is released into the atmosphere through the stomata on the leaves.

H 20

H 20

H2 0

This process is called transpiration.

H20H20

H20

CO2

CO 2

CO2

O2

O2

O2

H 20

H 20

H2 0

Review the process.

Explain each step as it is shown.

H20H20

H20

CO2

CO 2

CO2

O2

O2

O2

H 20

H 20

H2 0

Remember, this process iscontinuous inlight.

• Photosynthesis is important to all life on Earth. Plants and plant-like organisms replace oxygen used by animals when they breathe and us the carbon dioxide the animals exhale. The light energy from the Sun is converted into matter through a chemical reaction. The glucose produced is used both to keep the plants alive and stored to be used by animals that eat the plants. The animals convert the plant matter to chemical energy when the plants are digested and used a fuel by the animal.

Quiz Questions

• Which three types of organisms can produce their own food through photosynthesis?

• Why is photosynthesis necessary for life on Earth to continue?

• How do energy and matter interact in the photosynthesis process?