How do plants obtain energy?

Plants obtain energy through the process of photosynthesis. During photosynthesis, plants use sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to produce glucose (sugar) and oxygen. The chlorophyll in plant cells captures sunlight and converts it into chemical energy, which is used to fuel the plant's growth and metabolism. This process is essential for the survival of plants and provides the foundation for the entire food chain, as other organisms rely on plants for energy.

Plants obtain energy through the process of photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is a chemical reaction that converts light energy into chemical energy, which is stored in the form of organic molecules, such as glucose. The overall equation for photosynthesis is:

6 CO2 + 6 H2O + light energy → C6H12O6 + 6 O2

In this equation, CO2 is carbon dioxide, H2O is water, light energy is the energy from the sun, C6H12O6 is glucose, and O2 is oxygen.

Photosynthesis takes place in the chloroplasts of plant cells. Chloroplasts contain a green pigment called chlorophyll, which absorbs light energy from the sun. This light energy is then used to split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen atoms. The hydrogen atoms are used to combine with carbon dioxide to form glucose, and the oxygen atoms are released into the atmosphere.

Glucose is a sugar molecule that provides energy for the plant's cells. The plant's cells use glucose to power their metabolic activities, such as growth, reproduction, and repair.