Plants Make Their Own Food, But How?

It was not until after World War II that scientists pieced together the story of how plants join carbon dioxide to a sugar to create food.

This happens through a set of steps that today are called the Calvin Cycle.

• Green plants are the only living things which can make their own food.

• This process is called photosynthesis

Making food

• Leaves are green in colour because they contain chlorophyll.

• Chlorophyll is needed in photosynthesis.

What does the plant need ?

For photosynthesis to take place a plant needs :

• Carbon dioxide from the air
• Light from the sun
• Water from the rain
• Chlorophyll from the leaves

What then … ?

• When the plant has all of these things …

… photosynthesis can take place.

• The plant produces sugar and oxygen.

A closer look at photosynthesis

2. Light in

Oxygen out

1. Carbon dioxide in

3. Water in

Food out

4. Chlorophyll is already in green leaves