krit.club logo

Nutrition in Plants and Animals - Modes of Nutrition in Plants and Photosynthesis

Grade 7CBSE

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

🔑Concepts

Nutrition is the mode of taking food by an organism and its utilization by the body.

Autotrophic Nutrition: The mode of nutrition in which organisms make food themselves from simple substances is called autotrophic nutrition. Green plants are called autotrophs because they prepare food using CO2CO_2, H2OH_2O, and minerals.

Photosynthesis: It is the process by which green plants synthesize their own food (glucose) using CO2CO_2 and H2OH_2O in the presence of sunlight and chlorophyll. The chemical reaction releases O2O_2 as a byproduct.

Chlorophyll: The green pigment found in the leaves of plants that helps capture the energy of sunlight to drive the process of photosynthesis.

Stomata: Tiny pores present on the surface of leaves through which exchange of gases like CO2CO_2 and O2O_2 occurs. They are surrounded by 'guard cells'.

Heterotrophic Nutrition in Plants: Plants that do not have chlorophyll and depend on food produced by other plants. This includes Parasites (e.g., CuscutaCuscuta), Saprotrophs (e.g., Fungi), and Insectivorous plants (e.g., Pitcher plant).

Symbiotic Relationship: Some organisms live together and share both shelter and nutrients. For example, in Lichens, an alga (autotroph) and a fungus (saprotroph) live together.

📐Formulae

6CO2+6H2OChlorophyllSunlightC6H12O6+6O26CO_2 + 6H_2O \xrightarrow[Chlorophyll]{Sunlight} C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6O_2

Starch Test: Carbohydrate+IodineBlue-Black Colour\text{Starch Test: Carbohydrate} + \text{Iodine} \rightarrow \text{Blue-Black Colour}

💡Examples

Problem 1:

Explain why leaves are called the 'food factories' of plants and identify the gas consumed during the process.

Solution:

Leaves contain chlorophyllchlorophyll which traps solar energy to convert CO2CO_2 and H2OH_2O into C6H12O6C_6H_{12}O_6. The gas consumed is CO2CO_2.

Explanation:

Synthesis of food occurs in leaves; therefore, all raw materials must reach the leaf. CO2CO_2 from the air is taken in through stomata.

Problem 2:

During an experiment, a student covers a leaf with black paper. After 48 hours, they perform an iodine test. What will be the observation?

Solution:

The covered part of the leaf will not turn blue-black, indicating the absence of starch (C6H12O6C_6H_{12}O_6 storage).

Explanation:

Since sunlight was blocked, photosynthesis could not occur in the covered area, and no starch was produced.

Modes of Nutrition in Plants and Photosynthesis Revision - Class 7 Science CBSE