Like all living beings, plants need to feed. We all know that they do it mainly through their roots and receiving light, but how exactly does the process of plant nutrition? How do plants feed and what do they need to get energy to live?
If you want to learn more about How plants are nourishedkeep reading in this ecology article in which we explain the Plant nutrition process With schemes and more interesting data.
What do plants need to live – summary
The vast majority of plants are Autotrophic organismsthat is, they do not need to feed or nurture other living beings, but They manufacture their own food from inorganic elements.
Through photosynthesis of plants, breathing and their nutrient absorption ability through roots, they receive everything they need. Of all the elements that plants can absorb, there are 16 of them that are considered essential elements. Are the following:
- Carbon
- Oxygen
- Hydrogen
- Nitrogen
- Potassium
- Calcium
- Phosphorus
- Magnesium
- Sulfur
- Chlorine
- Iron
- Copper
- Manganese
- Zinc
- Boron
- Molybdenum
Plants obtain oxygen and carbon with the breathing process. Hydrogen obtains it from the water that its roots absorb and the rest of mineral micronutrients also obtain them by absorption of the roots, that is, from the ground or earth.
Learn more about what plants need to live and autotrophic organisms: what are, characteristics and examples with these other didactic articles of Ecology Verde.
What is plants nutrition – process
All of the Plant nutrition process can be divided into several phases different:
Absorption and transport of nutrients to xylem
The process begins when the plant absorbs mineral salts and water From its roots. Absorption is carried out through specialized parts of the roots, which are called absorbent hairs. Once absorbed, the roots transport nutrients and water to the xylem, which is where the sap is conducted.
Water transport and mineral salts
The combination of mineral salts or micronutrients absorbed by roots and water results in what we call gross sap.
Unlike animals, which invest large amounts of energy in pumping blood throughout their body, plants are able to raise the sap to its leaves with a very low energy expenditure. This is achieved by accumulation of water in the root tissues, which pushes the sap up, in addition to the main force, which is created by the suction produced by the perspiration of water in the leaves.
Thus, water for plants is doubly important, as it fulfills the functions of both nutrition and help to transport the sap to different parts of the plant.
Gas exchange
The exchange of plant gases occurs in The stomata and the lenticels. The former are located mainly in the underside of the leaves the leaves, although they can be found in lesser concentration throughout the epidermal tissue. The latter, on the other hand, are found in the epidermis of branches and stems of woody plants. Discover more about what are the stomata of a plant here.
Thanks to them, the plant absorbs oxygen and releases carbon dioxide in its breathing, a process that is invested during the day when making photosynthesis and, therefore, then absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen.
Nutrient photosynthesis and distribution
In this phase, the leaves, thanks to ChlorophyllThey manage to produce glucose from carbon dioxide, water and light energy. It is an incredibly important process, which has shaped the world as we know it today, because it has served to fill it with vegetation of all kinds.
During photosynthesis a mixture of sugars, salts and amnio acids is synthesized, which is what we call ELABORATED SAVIA And it is already food usable by the plant. These nutrients are transported by The phloem Towards consumption areas, such as fruits, seeds or developing areas.
Plant breathing
Plants’ breathing usually occurs during the night. Like other living beings, plants use oxygen to degrade nutrients, such as starch. Throughout this process, which occurs in stomata, the plant absorbs oxygen and releases carbon dioxide. Know more about this topic in this other post about where plants breathe and how they do it.
In addition to all this, there are special cases of the Plant nutritionsuch as those of carnivorous plants, parasitic plants or symbiotic, with food mechanisms.
Difference between the nutrition of plants and animals
The main one Difference between the nutrition of plants and animals It is that, while mostly autotrophic organisms, except for very specific cases, animals are always heterotrophic organisms.
- The Autotroph nutrition It is characterized by being able to create organic matter based on inorganic elements.
- The heterotroph nutritionon the other hand, it is one in which the body transforms organic matter into nutrients.
In this other article you can learn more about the difference between autotrophic organisms and heterotrophs with examples.
Because of this, plants form the base of the food chain, since they are responsible for transforming light and micronutrients or inorganic elements of the environment in organic and macronutrient matter. Then, herbivorous animals feed on them, and will produce other structures and nutrients in their organisms such as animal and fat proteins, which will be absorbed by carnivorous animals.
Now that you know the process of Plant nutritionyou may want to learn more about the life cycle of plants and the types of plant tissues, their characteristics and functions with these other articles of ecology.
If you want to read more articles similar to Plant nutrition: processwe recommend that you enter our biology category.
