Nutrition In Plants

Nutrients are the components found in our food such as carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, fats, etc. These components are necessary for living organisms to survive. Plants produce their own food while animals and human beings do not produce their own food. We indirectly or directly depend on plants and animals for our food needs.

Table of Contents

• Modes Of Nutrition
  • Autotrophic Nutrition in Plants
    1. Photosynthesis
    2. Conditions necessary for Photosynthesis
    3. Steps in Photosynthesis
  • Heterotrophic Nutrition in Plants
    • Heterotrophic Plants
      1. Parasitic Nutrition
      2. Insectivorous Nutrition
      3. Saprophytic Nutrition
      4. Symbiotic Nutrition

The process of obtaining food and utilizing it to grow, stay healthy and repair any damaged body part is known as nutrition. Plants produce their food by taking raw materials from their surroundings, such as minerals, carbon dioxide, water and sunlight. There are two modes of nutrition:

• Autotrophic – Plants exhibit autotrophic nutrition and are called primary producers. Plants synthesis their food by using light, carbon dioxide and water.
• Heterotrophic – Both animals and human beings are called heterotrophs, as they depend on plants for their food.

Also Refer: Different Modes Of Nutrition in Living Organisms

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• Plants are able to produce their own food through a process called photosynthesis.

• The chloroplast is the site of photosynthesis.

• Food production primarily is carried out in leaves. Water and minerals from the soil are absorbed by the root and transported to the leaves through vessels. Carbon dioxide reaches leaves through stomata – which are small pores on leaves surrounded by guard cells.

• Chlorophyll is a green pigment present in leaves which helps the leaves capture energy from sunlight to prepare their food. This production of food which takes place in the presence of sunlight is known as photosynthesis. Hence, the sun serves as the primary source for all living organisms

• During photosynthesis, water and carbon dioxide are used in the presence of sunlight to produce carbohydrates and oxygen.

• Photosynthesis provides food to all living beings.

• Oxygen, one of the main components of life on earth is released by plants during photosynthesis.

Also Refer: Photosynthesis

• Sunlight

• Water

• Carbon dioxide

• Chlorophyll

• Absorption of energy from sunlight

• Conversion of light energy into chemical energy

• Hydrolysis of water into oxygen and hydrogen

• Carbon dioxide is reduced to form glucose by utilizing chemical energy

Also Read: Nutrition in Animals

Some plants do not contain chlorophyll and depend on other plants for their food through the heterotrophic mode of nutrition. These type of nutrition in plants are referred to as Heterotrophic nutrition in plants, hence are called parasites.

Listed below are different types of heterotrophic plants that are mainly classified based on their mode of nutrition:

• Parasitic

• Insectivorous

• Saprophytic

• Symbiotic

Some heterotrophic plants depend on other plants and animals for nutrition. Such plants are known as parasitic plants. However, the host is not benefitted from the parasite.

For eg., Cuscuta, Cassytha

Also Read: Parasitism

Some plants have special structural features that help them to trap insects and are commonly known as carnivorous or heterotrophic plants. These plants digest the insects by secreting digestive juices and absorb the nutrients from them. These plants grow on the soil that lacks minerals.

For eg., Pitcher plant, Venus flytrap

Also Read: Insectivorous Plants

The saprophytic plants derive nutrition from dead and decaying plants and animals. They dissolve the dead and decaying matter by secreting digestive juices and absorb the nutrients.

For eg., mushrooms, moulds.

Also Read: Saprophytes

When two different plants belonging to two different categories show a close association, they are termed as symbiotic. In this, both the plants are benefitted from each other.

For eg., the association of fungi and trees.

Also Read: Mutualism

Learn more in detail about Nutrition in Plants, Heterotrophic Plants or any other related topics at BYJU’S Biology