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Plant Life - How plants make food (Photosynthesis basics)

Grade 3ICSE

Review the key concepts, formulae, and examples before starting your quiz.

🔑Concepts

Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants prepare their own food using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide.

Leaves are known as the 'Food Factory' or 'Kitchen' of the plant because food is prepared there.

Chlorophyll is a green pigment found in leaves that traps sunlight, which is essential for making food.

Plants take in CO2CO_2 (Carbon Dioxide) from the air through tiny pores on the leaves called stomata.

Roots absorb H2OH_2O (Water) and minerals from the soil and transport them to the leaves.

The products of photosynthesis are glucose (sugar) and O2O_2 (Oxygen), which is released into the air.

Extra food is stored by the plant in the form of starch in different parts like roots, stems, or leaves.

📐Formulae

Carbon Dioxide+WaterChlorophyllSunlightGlucose (Food)+Oxygen\text{Carbon Dioxide} + \text{Water} \xrightarrow[\text{Chlorophyll}]{\text{Sunlight}} \text{Glucose (Food)} + \text{Oxygen}

6CO2+6H2OSunlightC6H12O6+6O26CO_2 + 6H_2O \xrightarrow{\text{Sunlight}} C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6O_2

💡Examples

Problem 1:

Why do most leaves appear green in color?

Solution:

Leaves appear green because of a pigment called chlorophyll.

Explanation:

Chlorophyll is essential for photosynthesis as it helps the plant capture energy from sunlight.

Problem 2:

What are the three main things a plant needs from its environment to make food?

Solution:

  1. Sunlight, 2. Water (H2OH_2O), and 3. Carbon Dioxide (CO2CO_2).

Explanation:

These three ingredients react inside the leaf in the presence of chlorophyll to produce glucose.

Problem 3:

If we cover a leaf with black paper, will it be able to make food?

Solution:

No, it will not be able to make food efficiently.

Explanation:

The black paper blocks sunlight. Without sunlight, the process of photosynthesis cannot take place, even if H2OH_2O and CO2CO_2 are available.