Plants Basics

How do plants get the food they need to live and grow?

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What do you think?

Yes! Plants make their food!

Let's explore how plants get the water, carbon dioxide, and sunlight energy they need for photosynthesis.

Select the part of the plant that absorbs the water it needs for photosynthesis.

That's right! The plant's roots reach downward and absorb water and nutrients from the soil.

Root Hair

Most plant roots have root hairs that help soak up water.

Select one of the root hairs in the diagram.

The xylem in roots acts like a straw, pulling up water and nutrients from the soil to the stem and leaves of the plant.

Xylem

Select the root's xylem in the diagram.

After water moves through the roots, it flows up through the xylem in the stem to reach the leaves, flowers, and fruit of the plant.

Xylem

Select one of the stem's xylem in the diagram.

Correct! Xylem transports water to all parts of the plant. Now, how does the plant absorb the carbon dioxide it needs for photosynthesis?

Select a part of the plant that absorbs carbon dioxide from the air needed for photosynthesis.

Yes! The leaves are the main part of the plant where carbon dioxide is absorbed. On the underside of the leaves, structures known as stomata (singular: stoma) take in carbon dioxide from the air.

Leaves

In the graphic above, select the stoma, the structure that absorbs carbon dioxide.

Now select a stoma that's shown in the image of plant leaf under a microscope.

The water needed for photosynthesis absorbed by the roots from the soil and the leaves absorb carbon dioxide from the air. Now, all we need for photosynthesis is sunlight.

Select the clouds to reveal the sun.

Leaves absorb sunlight for photosynthesis. Inside each leaf cell, chloroplasts use sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to make the plant's food, glucose, and release oxygen.

Plant Cell

Select a chloroplast in the plant cell diagram.

Plant Cells Under a Microscope

Now select a chloroplast that's shown in the image of plant cells under a microscope.

What is the process called where a plant uses sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide from the air to make its own food?

Select the yellow parts that will turn into tomatoes once they are pollinated.

Flowers

Yes! The flowers will turn into tomatoes once they are pollinated by either self-pollination or the help of pollinators like bees.

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Select a part of the plant that people like to eat.

You got it! Tomatoes, a favorite fruit for many, grow from the plant’s flowers once they are pollinated.

Fruit

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Select a part of the tomato that can be used to grow a new tomato plant.

Yes! The seed in the tomato can be planted to grow a new tomato plant!

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