Introduction to Plants
What are plants?
Plants are eukaryotes that use photosynthesis to produce their own food. They belong to the kingdom Plantae with over 300,000 species. Plants play a pivotal role in the establishment of ecosystems as they are the primary producers in many food chains.
Why are plants important?
Plants are primary producers also referred to as autotrophs which are capable of capturing sunlight energy and convert it to mechanical energy in the form of food. This process is called photosynthesis and is unique to plants (with a few exceptions). Plants and trees are the longest living organisms on earth, almost all living organisms depend on the food that plants provide.
What is photosynthesis?
Photosynthesis is the process of capturing sunlight with the presence of CO2 and water to produce oxygen and glucose. This process allows plants to convert chemical energy into mechanical energy. This is an anabolic reaction meaning that simple molecules combine to make complex molecules. Photosynthesis is not a random spontaneous reaction that occurs, it requires energy to proceed.
Where does photosynthesis take place?
It occurs in the leaves of the plant, to be more specific it occurs in the chloroplast. This organelle is found in the mesophyll cells and contain chlorophyll. The chlorophyll molecules are located in the thylakoid membrane, these molecules are known as pigments giving the plant its green colour. Chlorophyll A & C are the main photosynthetic pigments.