CHAPTER 1

NUTRITION IN PLANTS
What is nutrition?

The process of taking food by an organism as well as the

utilization of the food by the organism is called
nutrition.
Modes of Nutrition

On the basis of their modes of nutrition, all the

organisms can be divided into two maingroups:
1) Autotrophs

2) Heterotrophs
Autotrophic Mode of Nutrition
The organisms which can make their own food from
the simple substances like carbon dioxide (CO2) and
water (H2O) by the process of photosynthesis are
called autotrophs and their mode of nutrition is
called autotrophic mode of nutrition.
All green plants are autotrophs.
Autotrophs contain a green pigment called
chlorophyll.
Heterotrophic Mode of Nutrition
The organisms which cannot make their own food by
the process of photosynthesis and take food from
green plants or animals are called heterotrophs and
their mode of nutrition is called heterotrophic mode
of nutrition.
Certain bacteria, fungi (non- green plants) and all
animals are heterotrophs.
Photosynthesis
The process by which green plants make their own food
from carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O) by using
sunlight in the presence of chlorophyll is called
photosynthesis.
Products of Photosynthesis
Glucose, produced during photosynthesis, is
converted into a complex carbohydrate called Starch.
This starch gets stored as food in the various parts of
plants.
Oxygen gas is produced as a by product during
photosynthesis.
 Conditions Necessary for
Photosynthesis
1) Carbon dioxide (CO2)
2) Water
3) Chlorophyll
4) Sunlight
1) How Plants Obtain CO2?
Exchange of gases takes place through the tiny pores
called stomata present on the surface of the leaves.
2) How Plants Obtain H2O?
The plants take water and minerals needed for
photosynthesis from the soil.
The tiny, pipe-like vessels called xylem transport
water from the roots to the leaves
3) Role of Chlorophyll
Chlorophyll is present in the form of hundreds of tiny
structures called chloroplasts.
Chlorophyll absorbs light energy from the sun and
supplies this energy to the leaves to carry out
photosynthesis.
4) Role of Sunlight
The sunlight supplies energy for thephotosynthesis.
The solar energy is converted into chemical energy
during photosynthesis, which gets stored in the form
of plant food.
Leaves of Various Colors
The large amount of red, violet, brown or other
pigments masks the green color of chlorophyll in
certain leaves. Photosynthesis takes place in such
leaves.
Photosynthesis in Cactus
The desert plants such as cactus have tiny, spine-like
leaves to reduce the loss of water bytranspiration.
The green stem and branches of a cactus plant contain
chlorophyll and hence carry out photosynthesis.
Photosynthesis in Algae
Algae are a large group of simple, plant-like organisms.
They do not have proper roots, stem and leaves; but
they contain chlorophyll and produce food by
photosynthesis.
Synthesis of Plant Foods
1) Plants Make Starch as Food
Glucose Starch
(simple) (complex)
E.g.: Potato, Carrot, Wheat, Rice, etc.

2) Plants Make Oil as Food

Glucose Oil
E.g.: Oil seeds
Synthesis of Plant Foods
3) Plants Make Proteins as Food
Glucose Amino Acids
Proteins contain nitrogen element.
Soil has certain bacteria which convert nitrogen gas of
air into nitrates and release them into the soil, which is
absorbed by the plants.

4)Plants Make Vitamins asFood

E.g.: Vegetables, Fruits, Cereals.
Importance of Photosynthesis
1) Photosynthesis by plants provides food to animals
2) The process of photosynthesis puts oxygen gasinto
the air