Green plants
can manufacture their own food. They prepare food not only for themselves. The food
is utilized by all animals and plants which cannot manufacture their own food. Green
plants contain chlorophyll which is green pigment. Chlorophyll can trap sunlight.
Green plants prepare food with the help of raw materials like carbon dioxide (CO2)
and water (H2O) in the presence of sunlight. The food prepared by
the plants is stored in the
form of sugar and starch in different parts. The process of making food by green plants using carbon dioxide and water in the presence of sunlight and chlorophyll is known as photosynthesis. The photosynthesis process can be written in brief as:
form of sugar and starch in different parts. The process of making food by green plants using carbon dioxide and water in the presence of sunlight and chlorophyll is known as photosynthesis. The photosynthesis process can be written in brief as:
6CO2
+ 6H2O ---------light or chlorophyll ---------> C6H12O6 +
6O2
Raw Materials
Essential for Photosynthesis
a) Carbon dioxide
(CO2): The source of carbon dioxide is
atmosphere for all the terrestrial plants whereas aquatic plants use dissolved CO2 from water. Carbon dioxide is released by the plants and animals
to the atmosphere by their respiration process. The other sources from carbon
dioxide in the atmosphere are combustion of coal, fossil fuel and natural
gases.
b) Water (H2O): Water is one of the raw material for
photosynthesis. Plants absorb water and dissolved materials from soil with the
help of roots. Then, water is transported to different parts of the plant such
as stem, leaves through conducting tissues.
c) Chlorophyll:
Chlorophyll is the green pigment present in green parts of the plant mostly in
the leaves. They are contained inside chloroplast which helps in
photosynthesis. When sunlight falls in the chlorophyll, photolysis of water
takes place liberating electrons which help in forming ATP (Adenosine
Triphosphate).
d) Light: Light
energy is one of the most essential raw materials to carry out photosynthesis
process. Sun is the source of light energy.
Products of Photosynthesis
The major
products of photosynthesis are
oxygen and sugar. Oxygen thus liberated balance the atmospheric oxygen which is
continuously consumed by the plants and animals during respiration. Sugar produced
during photosynthesis is used by plants to synthesize organic compounds like
carbohydrate, organic acids, proteins, fats, hormones, vitamins, alkaloids,
etc.
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