Plant Processes

Essential Question

What are the basic processes that allow a plant to survive?

?

Photosynthesis:• Plants make their own food – sugar

(glucose/cellulose)• Chloroplasts in the plant cell contain

chlorophyll, a green pigment that absorbs light.

• Leaves take in carbon dioxide from air through the stomata & water from the roots. They use these to make sugar & oxygen.

Draw photosynthesis.

Why is photosynthesis important to me?

Respiration:• The sugar created during photosynthesis is

broken down to provide energy for the plants to perform life functions.

• Oxygen from the air combines with the sugar which is broken down into two things: carbon dioxide & water.

• The water and carbon dioxide are released through the stomata.

• The energy released is used by the plant to survive.

Draw respiration.

Oxygen

Glucose

Carbon Dioxide

Water

Energy

Summarize respiration.

• Brain Pop: Cellular Respiration

Transpiration• Some of the water taken in through the

roots of plants is used in photosynthesis, but some is lost through the leaves – Transpiration

• Important part of the water cycle; puts water vapor into atmosphere.

• The water escapes through stomata – pores in leaves

Controlling Transpiration• Plants have to control transpiration.

otherwise plants can wither up and die.• Guard Cells open and close the stomata.• Guard cells are found mostly on the

underside of the leaf.• When the guard cells close the stomata,

water cannot escape from the leaf.

How does a plant control transpiration?

• Click here to watch video

Essential question

Question• What are the basic

processes that allow a plant to survive?

Answer• Photosynthesis• Respiration• Transpiration