CHAPTER

HOW PLANT MAKE FOOD

Compendium
A. Introduction
B. Things required for photosynthesis
C. Process of photosynthesis
D. non-photosynthetic plants
E. Desert plants
F. Bird eye view
G. Solved examples
H. Practice questions
I. Solutions

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HOW PLANT MAKE FOOD

A. Introduction
Every living being needs food to live.
• Like every living being, plants also need food.
But can you tell how plants are making their food?
The process in which plants make food is called photosynthesis.
Do all plants do photosynthesis?
This chapter will teach how they make their food and the things
plants need for photosynthesis.

B. Things required for photosynthesis

• The green leaves of a plant manufacture food. So it is known as
the food factory of a plant.
• Chlorophyll is a plant's green pigment or color that aids in the
production of food. They contain small holes called stomata
through which plants breathe.
• For the process to work, they need light, water, nutrients, and
carbon dioxide.

C. Process of photosynthesis
• Tiny pores (holes) in the leaves allow
carbon dioxide from the air to pass
through. The holes are called ‘Stomata’.
• The roots absorb water and are then
transported to the leaves via vessels in the
stem.
• A green chemical(Chlorophyll) in the leaves absorbs sunlight.

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1. Photosynthesis is carried out in the leaves of plants. The leaves
are made up of thousands of tiny cells. Chloroplasts are small
structures found inside these cells. Each chloroplast contains
chlorophyll, a green substance that gives plants their color.
2. The sun's energy is absorbed by chlorophyll.
3. Water molecules are divided into hydrogen and oxygen using
this energy.
4. The leaves give out oxygen, which is then discharged into the
atmosphere.
5. Glucose, or plant food, is made from hydrogen and carbon
dioxide.
6. Plants use some of the glucose to generate energy for growth
and development, while the remainder is stored in leaves, roots,
and fruits for later use.

D. Non-photosynthetic plants
• Some plants are parasitic and non-photosynthetic, getting their
sustenance from a host.
• All parasitic plants have haustoria, which enters the host plant
tissues and takes water and nutrients.
• Examples include grasslands, shrublands, savannas.

E. Desert plants
• Plants in the desert are short of water. Plant roots in the desert
can reach depths of 18 to 20 meters to absorb water deep
beneath the soil's top.

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• Because it has less surface area exposed
to light and wind, a plant with smaller or
fewer leaves loses less water during
transpiration.
• That is why Most desert plants have small
leaves, spikes for leaves, or no leaves at all.
• For example, Barrel Cactus, Saguaro Cactus, Lace, or Hedgehog
Cactus.

F. Bird’s-eye view

• Leaves are called the food factory of plants.

• They contain chlorophyll which makes the leaves green in color.
• Photosynthesis is the process through which plants make their
food.
• Photosynthesis required light, water, nutrients, and carbon
dioxide.
• Some plants that depend on other plants for their food are called
parasitic and non-photosynthetic plants.
• Due to less water in deserts, plants in the desert have small and
spiky leaves.

G. Solved examples

1. What is the process with which we plants make their food?

2. Which part of the plant makes the food for the plant?
3. How does a plant breathe?
4. How does the plant get the water?
5. What helps the plant to absorb the sunlight?

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6. Why do desert plants have small leaves?
Answers:
1. By the process of photosynthesis, plants make their food.
2. Leaves help the plant to make food. So they are called the food
factory of the plant.
3. Plant breathe using the small openings in the leaves called
stomata.
4. Plant absorbs the water from the soil using the roots.
5. Plant leaves contain the chemical called chlorophyll, which
absorbs the sunlight, which helps in photosynthesis.
6. Desert plants have small or no leaves at all as it helps the plant
reduce the water loss due to transpiration.

H. Practice yourself
1. In green plants, _______ provides the energy needed to make
food.
(a) Water (b) Sunlight
(c) Oxygen (d) Carbon dioxide
2. Using the ________ of sunlight, leaves change water and carbon
dioxide into food.
(a) Chlorophyll (b) Stomata
(c) Oxygen (d) Energy
3. During photosynthesis which of the following happens?
(a) Oxygen is used, and carbon dioxide is released
(b) Carbon dioxide is used, and oxygen is released
(c) Both oxygen and carbon dioxide are released
(d) Both oxygen and carbon dioxide are used

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4. What is produced during photosynthesis?
(a) Protein (b) Salt
(c) Starch (d) Spice
5. Which part of a cactus plant performs photosynthesis?
(a) Spine (b) Stem
(c) Root (d) Leaves
6. In which of the following processes, the release of oxygen by
plants takes place?
(a) Respiration (b) Digestion
(c) Reproduction (d) Photosynthesis
7. Which of the following is a seed containing stored food?
(a) Wheat (b) Mango
(c) Apple (d) Grapes
8. When iodine is added to a starch solution, the color is changed
to
(a) Blue-black (b) Blue-green
(c) Green-yellow (d) Green-red
9. The main function of chlorophyll is
(a) To absorb carbon dioxide from the air
(b) To absorb water and minerals from the soil
(c) To perform photosynthesis in the presence of sunlight
(d) To store food
10. Which of the following are called food factories of the plant?
(a) Stems (b) Flowers
(c) Roots (d) Leaves

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11. Which of the following is needed by green plants for
photosynthesis?
(a) Carbon dioxide (b) Oxygen
(c) Nitrogen (d) Oxygen and carbon dioxide
12. Gas released by green plants during photosynthesis is:
(a) Oxygen (b) Carbon dioxide
(c) Nitrogen (d) Oxygen and carbon dioxide
13. Small pores that help the leaf in exchange of gases is
(a) Chlorophyll (b) Stomata
(c) Blade (d) Vein
14. Which part of the plant takes water from the soil?
(a) Root (b) Branches
(c) Stem (d) Leaves
15. Which of the following traps sunlight on a leaf?
(a) Starch (b) Veins
(c) Chlorophyll (d) Stomata
16. Leaves have a green substance called _________ that gives them
the green color.
(a) Chlorophyll (b) Stomata
(c) Vein (d) Starch
17. I am a tube that takes water to all parts of the leaf. Who am I?
(a) Colon (b) Veins
(c) Root (d) Stomata
18. Extra food prepared by plants is stored as starch in
(a) Leaves (b) Fruits
(c) Stem (d) All of these

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19. In the word - Photosynthesis, the word Photo means?
(a) Picture (b) Light
(c) Oxygen (d) Water
20. Which of the following can make their food?
(a) Plants (b) Animals
(c) Human being (d) None of these

I. Solutions

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
b d b c b d a a c d
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
a a b a c a b d b a