Page 193 - DK Children's Encyclopedia

Photosynthesis SEE ALSO

▸ ▸ Carbon cycle
p.49

Plants make their own food. They do this by taking ▸ ▸ Cells p.56
in the sun’s light energy, as well as water from the ▸ ▸ Gases p.117
ground and gas from the air. Producing energy in ▸ ▸ Light p.147

this way is called photosynthesis. ▸ ▸ Plants p.194
▸ ▸ Temperature
p.252

How do plants Sunlight
make food? Plants need energy from
The plant combines carbon sunlight to complete
photosynthesis. They
dioxide with water to make grow toward the light.
sugar. The energy it needs
to do this is supplied by
the sun’s light.

Carbon dioxide
Holes in the plant’s leaves take
in a gas called carbon dioxide.
The oxygen that
plants give out is
the same gas that Oxygen
humans and Oxygen is released as
waste when carbon
animals need dioxide, water, and
to breathe in. light react together
in the plant.

Conditions
Temperature, light, and water need
to be just right for a plant to survive.
If these conditions change too
much and don’t suit the plant it
will start to die.

Leaves
droop.

Leaves turn
The stem is strong brown.
Leaves to support the
A chemical in the leaves plant and move it Water
called chlorophyll absorbs toward light. The plant needs
light energy from the sun. water to survive.
Chlorophyll makes plants Water travels up the
look green. stem into the plant.

Roots
The plant roots take
in water and minerals Without light Without water
from the soil.
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