12:39 AM
The process by which green plants make food using carbon dioxide and water in the presence of sunlight is called photosynthesis. Plants need sunlight, chlorophyll, carbon dioxide, water and dissolved minerals salts for the process of photosynthesis.
Oxygen is emitted as a by-product in the process of photosynthesis.
Process of Photosynthesis
Leaves are green in colour due to the pigment called chlorophyll. The pigment absorbs sunlight. Leaves contain many minute pores. These pores are called stomata. Plants take carbon dioxide from the air through stomata. Roots of the plant absorb water and mineral salts from the soil and supply to the leaves through the stem. The sunlight trapped by chlorophyll gives energy to combine carbon dioxide with water and minerals to form sugar or glucose. The food thus prepared is immediately converted into starch. Oxygen gas is also produced during this process. In this way, the green leaves of the plant prepare their own food in the form of starch.
The food prepared in the leaves is distributed to different parts of the plant. The plant consumes this food to get energy. It uses energy for various functions. The extra amount of starch that is not used by the plant is stored in different parts of the plant like root, stem, leaves, fruits and seeds. Grains like maize, wheat, rice; fruits like mangoes, apples and grapes; roots like beetroot store starch. It is used by human beings and other animals as food. So, photosynthesis in plants gives food to other organisms too.
