Special structures in the cells of plants capture sunlight energy to power photosynthesis. What materials must plants obtain from their environment to perform photosynthesis?

1 answer

To perform photosynthesis, plants must obtain the following materials from their environment:

  1. Carbon Dioxide (CO2): Plants take in carbon dioxide from the air through small openings in their leaves called stomata.

  2. Water (H2O): Plants absorb water from the soil through their roots. The water travels through the plant's vascular system, reaching the leaves where photosynthesis takes place.

  3. Light Energy: Plants require sunlight, which is captured by chlorophyll and other pigments located in chloroplasts within their cells. This light energy drives the photosynthesis process.

These materials combine in the chloroplasts during photosynthesis to produce glucose (a form of sugar) and oxygen (O2) as a byproduct.