Photosynthesisor

How Plants Make Food

Energy from the Sun is necessary to begin the process.

Besides green plants, some algae and 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

During photosynthesis, radiant (light) energy from the Sun is converted into chemical energy through a chemical reaction. The glucose (a type of sugar) that is produced is used both to keep the plants alive and stored by plants to be used by animals that then eat the plants.

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.