Plants don’t need to eat lunch. They make their own food using a clever process called photosynthesis.
The Ingredients
- Sunlight from the sky
- Water from the soil, taken in by the roots
- Carbon dioxide from the air, taken in through tiny holes in the leaves
The Kitchen
Leaves are the plant’s kitchen. They contain a green substance called chlorophyll, which captures light energy.
The Recipe
Using light energy, the plant turns water and carbon dioxide into sugar, which is its food. It also releases oxygen, the gas we breathe.
Why It Matters
Photosynthesis feeds the plant, and it is also the base of most food chains on Earth. Animals eat plants, and other animals eat those animals.
Try This at Home
Place a potted plant on a sunny windowsill and another in a dark cupboard for a week. Compare how they look. Which one is healthier, and why?
