Plant Functions

Plants have an important feature that makes them different from other organisms. They are autotrophs. This means that they can make their own food. Plants make their own food using inorganic materials through a process known as photosynthesis. Humans and other animals are heterotrophs. This means that they get their food from outside of themselves.

Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis is the process in which plants convert light energy captured by chloroplasts to chemical energy. They use this energy to live, grow and reproduce.

Chlorophyll pigments in the chloroplasts combine water and carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the air to form carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are molecules, which store energy in their chemical bonds. Carbohydrates are compounds that include simple sugars, such as glucose and sucrose. 

Process of photosynthesis (Let’s Talk Science using an image by lv_design via iStockphoto).

Did you know?

Sucrose is better known as table sugar. This is the granulated sugar you might use at home.

Carbohydrates also include complex sugars such as cellulose and starch. Cellulose is the main building block of cell walls. Starch is an important storage molecule.

Plants can use starch for energy when they are not photosynthesizing, such as during the winter months. The roots of plants, such as potatoes, carrots and beets are high in starch.

Image - Text Version

Shown is a colour photograph of a pile of root vegetables.

The pile is arranged in the centre of a plain white backdrop. Two pale brown potatoes are on the front left. Two purple beets are on the front right. A large orange carrot is at the back. The long green and purple leafy tops of the carrot and beets are piled behind.

Carbohydrates can be stored in other parts of the plant as well. Fruit can store carbohydrates in the form of pectin. Oranges, lemons, apples and grapes are high in pectin.

Image - Text Version

Shown is a colour photograph of a pile of citrus fruit.

The pile is arranged along a plain white backdrop. Some fruit is whole, and some is sliced in half. All of it is brightly coloured in orange, yellow, pink and green.

Respiration

Respiration is the opposite of photosynthesis. In the first step of this process, oxygen reacts with sugar in a plant cell. This releases the sugar’s stored chemical energy. The energy is transferred to a new molecule called ATP (adenosine triphosphate). The ATP molecule is transported throughout the cell where it can be used by various organelles. The process of respiration releases carbon dioxide and water. Unlike photosynthesis which can only happen when there is light, respiration can happen both with and without light.

Transpiration

Transpiration is the term for the evaporation of water from the surface of leaves and stems. It is an important part of both photosynthesis and respiration.

Water produced during respiration exits the plant through specialized structures called stomata.

Stomata are little holes in leaves. They can open and close as needed to let water and gases in and out.

During dry periods, plants need to conserve water. They can do this by closing their stomata, which decreases evaporation from leaves. However, this also decreases the amount of CO₂ which can enter the plant. Less CO₂ means less photosynthesis. And less photosynthesis means less growth. Another effect of closing stomata is that the leaves cannot keep themselves cool using evaporation. This can cause leaves to overheat and be damaged.

Image - Text Version

Shown is a colour photograph of a leaf, through a microscope. 

The whole image shows a dark green surface with soft swells and waves, like water about to boil. In the centre of one swell is an oval opening stretched open. It has a pale green, rounded edge, almost like a mouth.

Did you know?

Not only can stomata let out water, they can also let in the CO₂ needed for photosynthesis.

In addition to having stomata, leaves are covered by a waxy cuticle. This covering helps prevent water loss.

Plants that live in very dry habitats have additional adaptations to help reduce water loss. For example, desert plants have thicker cuticles than plants growing in wetter places.

Did you know?

Up to 90 percent of the water taken up by roots may be lost by leaves through transpiration. 

Have you ever seen a cactus like this? The green part of this prickly pear cactus is not a leaf. It is a stem! Unlike most plants, photosynthesis takes place in the stem, rather than the leaves. The stems also store water for the cactus.

You may be wondering if cactuses have leaves. They do! The leaves are modified to form thin pointy spines. The spines lose very little water and help keep the plant from being eaten!

Image - Text Version

Shown is a colour photograph of a cactus plant in the desert. 

The camera is close to the plants in the foreground. The leaves are shaped like upside-down tear drops. They are pale green, thick, flat, and pictured with fine spikes. Bright pink, egg-shaped structures are attached along the curved, top edges of each one.

In the background, the land is pale brown with a few green trees and shrubs. The sky above is bright blue with wispy clouds.

Did you know?

Roots do not PUSH water up a plant, transpiration in the leaves PULLS water upward from the roots!

Not only does transpiration cool plants, it also cools the air around plants. When the air around plants gets warmer, plants will often release water through transpiration. By releasing evaporated water, plants cool themselves and the surrounding environment. More water in the air leads to more clouds which can cool the air even more by blocking sunlight.

Plant Processes and Climate Change

The rates of photosynthesis and transpiration are closely tied to what is going on in Earth's atmosphere. The atmosphere is a blanket of gases that surround the planet. Some of these gases are greenhouse gases. They trap heat, like the walls of a greenhouse. This is called the greenhouse effect. The greenhouse effect is causing the atmosphere to become warmer.

Warmer air causes plants to transpire more, just like when you sweat on a hot day. This is not a problem as long as plants can bring in enough water from their roots. If they cannot, stomata close and transpiration shuts down. Plants can then overheat and even die. In addition, if the plants no longer cool the neighbouring air, it becomes even warmer. If stomata are closed, CO₂ cannot enter the plant and photosynthesis cannot occur.

One of the main greenhouse gases is CO₂. As you have learned, CO₂ is necessary for photosynthesis. When there is more CO₂, there is more photosynthesis. So it would seem that more CO₂ should be good for plants. But things are trickier than that. The rate of photosynthesis is closely connected to the amount of water plants can access. So, to grow the best, plants need good amounts of both water and CO₂.