PLANT

NUTRITION
 Photosynthesis

•Photosynthesis is the process where green plants make their own food (glucose).

•It uses:

 Sunlight

 Carbon dioxide (CO₂)

 Water (H₂O)

•Oxygen is released as a byproduct.

 Chemical Equation

 Carbon dioxide + Water → Glucose +

Oxygen
6CO₂ + 6H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂
 "Photo"  "Synthesis"

 Meaning: Light  Meaning: To make or to build

🔹 In photosynthesis, "photo" refers 🔹 In photosynthesis, "synthesis"

to the use of light energy from means the production of glucose

the sun.
(food) by putting together carbon

dioxide and water.

Where Does Photosynthesis
Happen?

• Inside chloroplasts (plant cell structures)

• In the green parts of plants (mainly leaves)

• Requires chlorophyll – a green pigment

 What is Chlorophyll?

 Chlorophyll is a green pigment found in chloroplasts of

plant cells.

It is what makes leaves look green.

 What Does Chlorophyll Do?

 ☀️Absorbs sunlight energy

⚡ Converts light energy into chemical energy

🌱 Helps split water molecules to release oxygen

🚀 Powers the process of making glucose

Photosynthesis: Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Water is Absorbed by Roots

a. The roots absorb water from the soil.

b. Water moves up through tiny tubes called xylem to the

leaves.
Step 2: Carbon Dioxide Enters
Through Stomata

a. Tiny holes under the leaf called stomata open.

b. Carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the air enters through

these holes.
Step 3: Light is Absorbed by
Chlorophyll

i. Inside leaf cells are tiny parts called chloroplasts.

ii. Chloroplasts have a green substance called chlorophyll.

iii. Chlorophyll catches sunlight energy.

Step 4: Making Food (Glucose)

• The plant uses:

• Water (from roots)

• Carbon dioxide (from air)

• Sunlight (energy)

• These are used inside the chloroplasts to make glucose (a

type of sugar).

• This happens in two stages:

• First, light energy splits water

• Then, the plant builds glucose

 Step 5: Oxygen is Released

i. As the plant makes glucose, it also makes oxygen (O₂).

ii. The oxygen goes out through the stomata into the air.
Step 6: Using the Glucose

• The plant uses the glucose:

• For energy

• To make starch (stored food)

• To build cell walls (cellulose)

• To make other parts like proteins and fats

How Plants Use the Products of
Photosynthesis

 Photosynthesis mainly produces glucose (a type of sugar).

The plant does not use all glucose in one way—it turns it

into different useful substances.

1. Starch (Storage)

• Glucose is converted into starch.

• Starch is insoluble, so it doesn’t affect water balance in

cells.

• Stored in leaves, roots, and tubers (e.g. potatoes).

• Used later when the plant needs energy (e.g. at night).

2. Sucrose (Transport)

•Glucose is changed into sucrose, a more stable sugar.

•Sucrose is transported through the phloem to other parts of the plant.

•Used for:

•Growing parts (buds, flowers, fruits)

•Storage organs (seeds, roots)

3. Cellulose (Building Cell Walls)

• Glucose is used to make cellulose.

• Cellulose is a strong fiber.

• It is used to build plant cell walls, giving strength and

structure to the plant.

4. Respiration (Energy Use)

•Some glucose is used directly in respiration inside the plant cells.

•The plant breaks down glucose to release energy (ATP) for:

 Cell division

 Active transport

 Growth

 Repair
5. Nectar (Attracting Insects)

• Glucose is used to make nectar in flowers.

• Nectar is a sweet liquid that attracts pollinators like bees

and butterflies.

• This helps the plant with pollination and reproduction.

 Why Plants Need Minerals

• Plants need mineral ions for growth, photosynthesis, and

cell function

• Two key minerals:

✅ Nitrate (NO₃⁻)

✅ Magnesium (Mg²⁺)
 Nitrate Ions (NO₃⁻)

 Functions of Nitrate:

• Make amino acids and proteins

• Make enzymes (which control reactions)

• Help form cytoplasm (jelly-like part of the cell)

• Needed for DNA

• Support stem and leaf growth

 🔹 Source:

• Absorbed from soil water by root.

 Magnesium Ions (Mg²⁺)

 Functions of Magnesium:

• Needed to make chlorophyll

• Chlorophyll is vital for photosynthesis

• Helps leaves trap light energy

 🔹 Source:

• Absorbed from the soil by roots

Sources of Mineral Elements
 Source  Description

o Soil Natural source of minerals from rock

breakdown

o Fertilisers Chemical or organic substances added to

soil

o Decaying Dead plants/animals return nutrients to the

organisms soil

o Rainwater Brings dissolved minerals into the soil

o Compost/manure
Adds nutrients like nitrate and magnesium

o Rocks Release minerals slowly over time

 Important Mineral Elements

 Mineral  Function in Plants

o Nitrate (NO₃⁻) Needed for amino acids, proteins,

enzymes, cytoplasm

o Phosphate (PO₄³⁻) Needed for DNA, ATP, and root

development

o Potassium (K⁺) Helps enzyme activity, flower/fruit

development

o Magnesium (Mg²⁺) Makes chlorophyll for photosynthesis

Deficiency Effects of Mineral
Elements
 Mineral  Deficiency Symptoms
o Nitrate Stunted growth, yellow leaves

o Phosphate Poor root growth, purple leaves

o Potassium Yellow/brown leaf edges, poor

flowering

o Magnesium Yellowing of leaves (chlorosis)

 Three manufactured fertilizers
[Commonly Used]

1. Ammonium nitrate
2. Superphosphate
3. Compound NPK [ nitrogen, phosphorus, and
potassium ]
 What is Water Culture?

 Water culture is a method of growing plants

without soil by using nutrient-rich water. It is a
type of hydroponics.
 Key points

1. Plants are placed in water, not soil

2. The water contains dissolved mineral nutrients

3. Roots absorb nutrients directly from the solution

4. Helps scientists study mineral requirements of plants

Why Use Water Culture?

1. To test which minerals plants need to grow

2. To observe the effects of mineral deficiency

3. To grow plants in places where soil is poor or

unavailable
 🌿 Hydroponic Farming

1. Used in places with poor or no soil

2. Grows crops like lettuce, spinach, herbs, and tomatoes

3. Popular in urban farming and greenhouses

What is Gaseous Exchange?

 Gaseous exchange is the process where oxygen (O₂) and

carbon dioxide (CO₂) move in and out of a plant.

It mostly happens through tiny holes under the leaf called

stomata.
Photosynthesis (in daytime)

 Equation:

CO₂ + Water → Glucose + O₂

• Takes in carbon dioxide (CO₂)

• Gives out oxygen (O₂)

• Happens only in light

Respiration (all the time)

 Equation:

Glucose + O₂ → CO₂ + Water + Energy

• Takes in oxygen (O₂)

• Gives out carbon dioxide (CO₂)

• Happens day and night

External Factors Affecting
Photosynthesis

 Photosynthesis is affected by external environmental

factors. These influence how fast a plant can

photosynthesize.
Light Intensity

• Effect: As light intensity increases, the rate of photosynthesis

increases — up to a point.

• Why: More light means more energy to convert carbon

dioxide and water into glucose.

• Limiting Factor: At low light, photosynthesis is slow. At high

light, another factor may become limiting (like CO₂).

Carbon Dioxide Concentration

• Effect: The rate increases with more carbon dioxide — up to a

certain level.

• Why: CO₂ is one of the raw materials needed for

photosynthesis.

• Limiting Factor: At low CO₂ levels, plants cannot

photosynthesize quickly.
Temperature

• Effect: The rate increases with temperature, up to an

optimum (usually around 30–35°C), then decreases.

• Why: Enzymes involved in photosynthesis work faster at

warmer temperatures, but too much heat denatures

enzymes, slowing down or stopping the process.

 Water Availability

•Effect: A lack of water slows or stops photosynthesis.

•Why: Water is a raw material in the photosynthesis equation.

Also, dehydration causes stomata to close, reducing CO₂ intake.

 Chlorophyll Content (indirect factor)

•Effect: Less chlorophyll (due to disease, aging, or lack of

minerals like magnesium) lowers the photosynthesis rate.

•Why: Chlorophyll captures light energy. Less chlorophyll = less light absorbed.
Leaf Structure

 A leaf is a flattened, green organ of a plant adapted for

photosynthesis. In broad-leaved plants, the leaf typically
has the following parts:

 Leaf Blade (Lamina): The broad, flat part of the leaf

where photosynthesis mainly occurs.
 Leaf Stalk (Petiole): The stem-like part that attaches
the leaf blade to the stem.
 Midrib: The central thick vein that provides support
and contains vascular tissue.
 Veins: Network of smaller lines branching from the
midrib; they transport water, minerals, and food.
 Broad Leaf: A leaf that has a wide surface area to
capture more sunlight for photosynthesis.
 The epidermis is the outermost
cell layer of a leaf, covering both
the upper and lower surfaces. It Epidermis
serves mainly as a protective
barrier.
 Types of Epidermis

•Upper Epidermis

•Located on the top surface of the leaf.

•Usually has fewer or no stomata.

•Covered by a thicker cuticle to prevent water loss from sunlight exposure.

•Lower Epidermis

•Located on the bottom surface of the leaf.

•Contains more stomata for gas exchange.

•Cuticle here is usually thinner.

 Structures Found in the Epidermis

Structure Function
Flat, transparent cells that form
Epidermal cells a protective layer and allow
light through.
A waxy, waterproof layer that
Cuticle prevents water loss by
evaporation.
Pores that allow gas exchange
Stomata (CO₂ in, O₂ and water vapor
out).
Special cells that open and
Guard cells close the stomata to regulate
gas and water flow.
Stomata

 Stomata are small pores

found mostly on the lower
surface of leaves. Each
stoma is surrounded by two
guard cells that control the
opening and closing of the
pore. These structures are
essential for gas exchange
and water regulation in
plants.
Structure of a Stoma

 Stomatal Pore: The opening through which

gases and water vapor move.

 Guard Cells: Specialized cells that contain

chloroplasts and control the size of the pore
by becoming turgid (open) or flaccid (closed).
 •Gas Exchange:
Allows CO₂ in for photosynthesis and O₂ out
as a waste product. At night, it supports
respiration.

•Transpiration:
Functions
of Stomata Water vapor exits through stomata, helping to

cool the plant and pull water up from the

roots.
•Water Control:
Stomata close in dry conditions to prevent
water loss.
Open in light when guard
cells absorb water and
become swollen.

Close in darkness, heat, or

water stress when guard
cells lose water.

Controlled by factors like

light, CO₂ levels, water,
and plant hormones
(ABA).
Stomatal Distribution & Adaptations

Found mostly on In floating

lower leaf plants, stomata
surface in land are on the
plants. upper surface.
Desert plants
Some plants
have fewer or
(like cacti) open
sunken
stomata only at
stomata to
night to save
reduce water
water.
loss.
Guard Cells

 Guard cells are two specialized cells surrounding each

stoma on a leaf. They control the opening and closing of
the pore to regulate gas exchange and water loss.
Structure

Kidney-shaped with chloroplasts.

Thicker inner walls, thinner outer

walls to allow bending.

Found mainly in the lower epidermis.

How they work

In darkness or
Water enters by water stress, K⁺
In light,
osmosis, cells ions leave, water
potassium ions
become turgid, follows, cells
(K⁺) are pumped
and stoma become flaccid,
into guard cells.
opens. and stoma
closes.
Functions of Guard Cells

ALLOW CO₂ IN CONTROL WATER HELP PLANTS

FOR LOSS BY OPENING RESPOND TO
PHOTOSYNTHESIS. OR CLOSING LIGHT, CO₂, AND
STOMATA. WATER LEVELS.
Mesophyll

 The mesophyll is the inner tissue of the leaf, located

between the upper and lower epidermis. It is where most

photosynthesis happens, thanks to the presence of

chloroplasts.

 The word mesophyll means "middle leaf" (from Greek: meso

= middle, phyll = leaf).

Types of Mesophyll Cells
 Palisade Mesophyll
 Located just below the upper epidermis.

 Made of tightly packed, column-shaped cells.

 Contains many chloroplasts → main site of photosynthesis.

 Cells are aligned to maximize light absorption.

 Spongy Mesophyll
 Found beneath the palisade layer.

 Loosely arranged cells with large air spaces between them.

 Fewer chloroplasts than palisade cells.

 Allows gas exchange (CO₂, O₂) through air spaces connected to stomata.
Functions of the Mesophyll

Layer Function
Palisade Absorbs light efficiently for
Layer photosynthesis.
Facilitates gas exchange
Spongy
(CO₂, O₂) and some
Layer
photosynthesis.
Help gases move between
Air spaces stomata and
photosynthesizing cells.
What are Vascular Bundles

 Vascular bundles are the plant's transport

system, made of:
 Xylem (transports water and minerals)
 Phloem (transports food)
 They are found in:
 Stems

 Roots

 Leaves – inside the veins

Veins and Vascular Bundles

 Veins are the visible lines on a leaf.

 Each vein contains a vascular bundle.

 The largest vein in the middle is the midrib.

 Smaller branching veins spread throughout the leaf.

 They provide support and help with transport.

 Parts Inside a Vascular Bundle

Structure Function
- Transports water and minerals
Xylem upward from roots to leaves. -
Located on top in the vein.
- Transports sugars and amino acids
Phloem from leaves to other parts. - Found
below xylem in the vein.
- Found in xylem cell walls. - Makes
Lignin
them strong and waterproof.
- Movement of food (like sucrose) in
Translocation phloem. - From source (leaf) to
sink (roots, fruits, growing tips).
Distribution of chloroplasts

 We mostly find chloroplasts in the palisade mesophyll cells

than in the spongy mesophyll cells.
 So, the palisade cell get most sunlight.
 We can also find some chloroplasts in the guard cells.
 Photosynthesis takes place any part of the plant that contains
chlorophyll, for example, green stems, can photosynthesize.