Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis is the making of food by plants. The essential ingredients in making this food are sunlight, the chlorophyll that is present in green plants, water and carbon dioxide in the air. Photosynthesis is the process of converting light energy to chemical energy and storing it in the bonds of sugar.

Source of picture: Biomass Energy --Energy from Plants and Animals (http://www.edinformatics.com/math_science/alternative_energy/biomass/biomass_basics.htm)

Photosynthesis takes place primarily in plant leaves, and little to none occurs in stems. The parts of a typical leaf include the upper and lower epidermis, the mesophyll, the vascular bundle(s) (veins), and the stomates. The upper and lower epidermal cells do not have chloroplasts, thus photosynthesis does not occur there ("Photosynthesis," 1999). They serve primarily as protection for the rest of the leaf. The stomates are holes which occur primarily in the lower epidermis and are for air exchange: they let CO2 in and O2 out. The vascular bundles or veins in a leaf are part of the plant's transportation system, moving water and nutrients around the plant as needed. The mesophyll cells have chloroplasts and this is where photosynthesis occurs.

Source of information: Photosynthesis (http://library.thinkquest.org/3715/photo3.html)

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Do you know how does the photosynthesis process occur?

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Parts of Plants

There are three main parts of the plant: root, stem and leaf.
The root is the part of a plant that is usually found underground but can also be above ground. Roots' jobs are: to absorb or take in water and minerals from the ground, to hold the plant in place, to store food for the plant, and to prevent soil erosion.


Source of picture: Plants-parts (http://www.mpes.org/grade2/welch/labpartsofaplant.htm)
The stem is a part of the plant that holds up other structures such as the leaves and flowers. This is important as the leaves need to be held up to the sun to get its light for photosynthesis and the flowers need to be held up to be available for pollination ("Great Plant Escape - Plant Structure," n.d.). Stems also carry water and minerals up from the roots to the leaves to help with photosynthesis and take food back down to be stored and distributed to the plant as it has need.
The leaf is a part of the plant that is charge of making food for the plant (Jordan, 1995). This food making process is called photosynthesis.
Can you name other parts of the plant?

Sources of information:
Jordan, Helen J. (1995). How a Seed Grows. New York: Thomas Crowell.
Great Plant Escape - Plant Structure (http://urbanext.illinois.edu/gpe/case1/c1facts1a.html)
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Plants as a major kingdom of living things

Plants are one of the major kingdoms of living things. Plants are important to us as they provide us with food, clothing, shelter, medicines, even the air we breathe! They also enhance the environment with their beauty.


Source of picture: Tucker House Inn Bed & Breakfast: Friday Harbor Lodging - San Juan Islands Washington (http://www.tuckerhouse.com/blog/2009/05/friday-harbor-lodging-san-juan-islands.html)

Plants are alive, just like people and animals.
How do we know this? Living things all do certain things:
They grow and die.
They need energy, nutrients, air, and water.
They produce young.
They are made up of cells.
They react to what's around them.
Plants come from seeds. Each seed contains a tiny plant waiting for the right conditions to germinate, or start to grow.
Source of information: Biology of Plants: Introduction (http://www.mbgnet.net/bioplants/)


Source of picture: Who is this Saint? | Catholics 50+ | eons.com (http://www.eons.com/groups/topic/1618120-Who-is-this-Saint--)

Why are plants important? Because they make your world beautiful and colorful? Or because they give us fruits and vegetables to eat?

Source of picture: Simple Living « WCAYW 2.0 (http://www.whatchannelareyouwatching.com/archives/tag/simple-living)
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