Green plants synthesize their own food through a process called photosynthesis, where they use sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to produce glucose and oxygen.
NCERT Class 8 Science
Chapter 1 CROP PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT
How do green plants synthesize their own food?
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Green plants utilize photosynthesis to synthesize their own food. In this process, chloroplasts within plant cells capture sunlight, enabling the conversion of carbon dioxide and water into glucose. The pigment chlorophyll absorbs light energy, initiating a series of chemical reactions in the thylakoid membranes. Water molecules split, releasing oxygen, while the generated energy powers the synthesis of ATP and NADPH. In the subsequent Calvin cycle, these energy-rich compounds facilitate the conversion of carbon dioxide into glucose. Ultimately, photosynthesis provides plants with a self-sustaining mechanism for generating organic compounds, serving as the foundation for their growth and development.