How do these plants and animals eat and grow? It's not like they can eat a Big Mac.
Well through photosynthesis and cellular respiration.
I can help!
This is my friend, Ms. Sunny. She can explain photosynthesis to you.
Plants take in carbon dioxide and water, as well as sunlight energy, which is captured through a green pigment called chlorophyll on the leaves of plants.
Carbon Dioxide
Water
To Chloroplast
Sunlight Energy
The sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide (or raw materials) enter a plant cell and travel into the chloroplast organelle. Here in stage 1, the water, with the help of sun energy, separates to make hydrogen, This hydrogen then goes to stage 2, where hydrogen and carbon dioxide create oxygen and glucose.
Oxygen
Glucose
Glucose is a type of sugar, and an important one! Glucose can be put into storage and be used later. But it can also be used for cellular respiration to make energy. This glucose is basically our food!
GLUCOSE STORAGE
Cellular Respiration
Thanks for the help. But how do organisms make power for themselves?
That's where cellular respiration comes into play. I can help explain! We animals are experts.