Question

Describe the relationship between plants and humans using the following words: carbon dioxide, oxygen, sugar, starch, ATP

Answer 1

Plants are autotrophs which means they are able to synthesize their own food by a process known as photosynthesis. In photosynthesis, the required elements are sunlight, water and carbon dioxide. The whole process takes place in the chloroplasts and the products of the photosynthesis are sugar and oxygen. The sugar which is glucose is saved as starch( long chain of glucose molecules) in plants. Breakdown of the glucose yields energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate or ATP.

The carbon dioxide which is absolutely necessary for photosynthesis comes from heterotrophs such as humans and also from the plants as a byproduct of respiration i.e breakdown of organic substances such as glucose, proteins, fats and the generation of ATP from them. The process of respiration takes place in both humans and plants where oxygen is necessary. During respiration, the organisms produce carbon dioxide which is again used in the production of glucose.