Plant Processes Original by Mark Morgan Berrien County High School Edited by Georgia Agriculture Education Curriculum Office July 2002

Basic processes that plants depend upon for growth Photosynthesis Cellular Respiration Water absorption Translocation Transportaion

Photosynthesis The process by which green living plants convert carbon dioxide and water in the presence of light into simple sugars

Steps in Photosynthesis 1.) Carbon Dioxide gas enters the plant through stomata which are primarily located on the leaves 2.) Water is absorbed by the hairs on the roots and transported to the leaves by the xylem tissues

Steps in Photosynthesis (Cont.) 3.)Light strikes the chlorophyll contained in the chlorophasts in the mesophyll cells of the leaf and stem 4.) Light energy is absorbed

Steps in Photosynthesis (Cont.) 5.) Chemical reaction take place that convert the hydrogen from water, along with carbon dioxide, to simple sugar called glucose 6.) The glucose is transported by the phloem tissues to other parts of the plant.

Steps in Photosynthesis (Cont.) 7.) Oxygen is released through the stomata.

Cellular Respiration The controlled breaking down of glucose, releasing energy for the plant, growth, absorption, translocation, and many other metabolic processes. C6H12O6+6O2-->6CO2+6H2O+ENERGY

Why is cellular respiration considered a basic life process? Cellular respiration enables the plant cell to release energy which is then