Gas exchange in plants primarily occurs during photosynthesis, which involves the following:
-
Starting materials needed for photosynthesis: The key starting materials are carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O). Plants absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through small openings in their leaves called stomata, and they take up water from the soil through their roots.
-
End products produced by photosynthesis: The main end products of photosynthesis are glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆), a type of sugar that serves as an energy source for the plant, and oxygen (O₂), which is released as a byproduct into the atmosphere. Through this process, plants convert light energy (typically from the sun) into chemical energy stored in glucose, while also contributing to the oxygen supply in the environment.
1 answer