It looks like your friend has come across two different but related processes regarding the use of glucose in plants, and it's understandable that this could be confusing. Here's a clarification that might help:
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Photosynthesis and Glucose Production: Plants use photosynthesis to convert sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into glucose. This glucose serves as a primary source of energy for the plant.
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Carbohydrate Formation: The statement from the online encyclopedia is partially correct. Glucose can be linked together to form various carbohydrates. The two main forms of carbohydrate storage in plants are:
- Starch: This is a polysaccharide made of many glucose units. Plants use starch primarily as a way to store energy.
- Cellulose: This is another polysaccharide made from glucose, but its structure is different from starch. Cellulose is used to form the rigid cell walls of plants, providing structural support.
So, both statements are correct but refer to different uses of glucose. Starch is the main form of energy storage in plants, while cellulose forms the structure and rigidity of plant cells. Your friend might want to include both aspects in their essay to provide a more comprehensive understanding of how plants utilize glucose.
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