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Photosynthesis - Coggle Diagram
Photosynthesis
Uses of glucose
Glucose is a useful molecule that is made during the process of photosynthesis. The initial use for glucose, when broken down during respiration is to release energy.
Glucose is a molecule that can be bonded together to make many types of carbohydrates including cellulose and starch (in plants) and glycogen (in animals).
Plants only photosynthesise and synthesise glucose during the day in the sunlight, but when there is no glucose for for respiration all the time, including during the night.
Cellulose
Glucose is used to make cellulose. Cellulose is an example of a natural polymer. Cellulose is the main component in plant cell walls and this gives the plant cell strength and support.
Humans can’t digest cellulose, but it is important to your diet as a fibre. Fibre assist the digestive system, keeping food moving through the gut and pushing waste out of the body.
Starch
Other uses of glucose produced from photosynthesis is to make the insoluble storage molecule starch. Most plants including rice, potatoes and Wheatstone their energy as starch. Starch is also a polymer and can be converted back to glucose by the plant when it is needed, for example at night for respiration.
Fats and oils
Glucose can also be converted to fats and oils such as olive oil. Fats and oils are also used by the plant as storage form of energy.
Amino acids
Glucose produced in photosynthesis can be helped to make amino acids. These amino acids are used by the plant to synthesise. Minerals such as nitrate ions are also absorbed by the roots by the roots of the plants to help make these amino acids. Foods such as peas are good protein sources.
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Key points
Photosynthesis is a procedure that takes place in the leaves of a plant and that needs both chlorophyll and light energy.
During photosynthesis, the chlorophyll in leaves help change carbon dioxide and water into the products oxygen and glucose.
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Carbon dioxide, water and light are all required for photosynthesis to occur.
What is photosynthesis?
Process
Photosynthesis occurs inside small plant cells in small pieces called chloroplasts. Chloroplasts contain a green substance called chlorophyll.
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Facts
Plants get carbon dioxide from the air through their leaves, and water from the ground through their roots. Light energy comes from the Sun.
The oxygen produced is released into the air from the leaves. The glucose produced can be turned into other substances such as starch and plant oils, which are used as an energy store. This energy can be released by respiration.
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