Ecosystems Assignment

What is Photosynthesis?

An endothermic reaction that takes place in green plants. The plant uses energy from sunlight to combine water, carbon dioxide and produces glucose and oxygen gas. This chemical process takes place inside cells that contain a green pigment called chlorophyll. Photosynthesis is a complicated process with many chemical reactions, but it can be summarized into a word equation as:

 Land plants absorb carbon dioxide from the air, and water through the roots. When sunlight falls on the cells containing chlorophyll, the cells start making a sugar which is called glucose.The glucose made by photosynthesis is absolutely vital to the plant. It is what is used to make all the other materials that a plant needs, such as fats, proteins and vitamins. The sugar is usually turned into starch and stored in the leaves until it is needed. Many plants can also store starch in seeds. Some plants (including most types of grasses) do not store starch in their leaves.

What are producers?

Most producers are green plants such as conifers, flowering plants, moss and algae, but there are also some bacteria. There are 1st to be eaten in a Food Web

Why is it important?

It is photosynthesis that generates energy for producers. Producers are the main source of food for 1st order consumers and after the 1st order come the 2nd order and so on. Without producers there would be no life, because other organisms such as animals and fungi cannot make their own food. They are also essential for life and the carbon cycle and food cycle to continue.