Use the picture below to answer the question that follows.

Question

It is a picture of cows eating in a field on the edge of the woods

Explain how the products of photosynthesis, glucose and oxygen, produced by the main plant in the picture benefit both the plant and the consumers that appear in the surrounding environment.

Hint: Consider the importance of the products of photosynthesis.

Answer in simple middle school form.

Answer 1

Photosynthesis is a process that plants use to make their own food. In the picture of cows eating in a field near the woods, we can think about how the products of photosynthesis - glucose and oxygen - help both the plants and the animals, like the cows.

1. Glucose: This is a type of sugar that plants produce during photosynthesis. The plants use glucose as a source of energy to grow, produce flowers, and make seeds. This means that the plants are healthy and strong, which is important because they provide food and shelter for many animals. For the cows, they eat grass and other plants that contain glucose, which gives them energy to move around, grow, and stay healthy.

2. Oxygen: This is another important product of photosynthesis. While plants take in carbon dioxide from the air to make glucose, they release oxygen as a by-product. This oxygen is vital for all animals, including cows, because they need it to breathe. When cows breathe in oxygen, it helps them get the energy they need from the food they eat.

In summary, the glucose and oxygen produced by plants benefit them by providing energy for growth, and they also support the cows and other animals in the environment by supplying them with food and the oxygen they need to live. This creates a cycle of life where plants and animals depend on each other!