Plants make their own food through a process called photosynthèsis. During photosynthèsis, plants use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to produce glucose (sugar), which they use as food.
Process by Which Plants Make Their Food
- Chlorophyll - Plants have a green pigment called chlorophyll in their leaves. Chlorophyll absorbs sunlight, which is the energy source for photosynthèsis.
- Carbon dioxide and water - Plants take in carbon dioxide from the air through tiny pores on their leaves called stomata. They also absorb water from the soil through their roots.
- Glucose production - Using the energy from sunlight, plants convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. This process takes place inside the plant's cells.
- Oxygen release - As a byproduct of photosynthèsis, plants release oxygen into the air, which is important for other living organisms to breathe.
