Question

Name the raw materials required by autotrophs to synthesise their food?

Answer 1

Autotrophs synthesise food by photosynthesis.

Essential raw materials for photosynthesis are -

• carbon dioxide: it is a gas which is released into atmosphere during respiration.
• Water: it is another requirement for photosynthesis which is transported upward through xylem tissue to the leaves, from where it reaches photosynthetic cells.
• Chlorophyll: it is green pigment in plants which act as catalyst. It is responsible for absorption of sun's light by the plant. The chlorophyll pigments are photoreceptor molecules which play a key role in the photosynthesis process.
• Light: light effects photosynthesis with its intensity, duration and quality. In green light the rate of photosynthesis is minimum, while in red or blue light the rate of photosynthesis is maximum.

H