Trees don’t eat like the sheep in the image above. Construct an explanation as to how they get the energy they need for survival. Be sure to include the organelles in the cells that contribute to these different functions. I don't under stand it and it is worth 3 extra points on my essay so help me pleas.
Trees do not eat, because they are autotrophic organisms, which means that they synthesize there own food, using available energy, instead of feeding on other organisms.
Common plants follow the process of photosynthesis to do so, which you can type into google to obtain more information.
Correction: synthesize their own food
Trees, as photosynthetic organisms, obtain their energy for survival through a process called photosynthesis. Photosynthesis takes place in cells within the tree's leaves called chloroplasts. These organelles play a vital role in capturing energy from sunlight and converting it into chemical energy in the form of glucose.
Here's a step-by-step explanation of how trees derive energy through photosynthesis:
1. Sunlight absorption: Trees have specialized pigments called chlorophyll, which are found in the chloroplasts. Chlorophyll absorbs sunlight in the visible light spectrum, primarily capturing energy from blue and red wavelengths.
2. Carbon dioxide uptake: Trees absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from the air through tiny openings on their leaves, called stomata. CO2 enters the leaf cells and becomes available for photosynthesis.
3. Water absorption: Tree roots absorb water from the soil. This water is transported via the xylem tissue to the leaves, where it is used in the photosynthetic process.
4. Production of ATP: Inside the chloroplasts, sunlight energy is used to convert water molecules into oxygen, hydrogen ions, and high-energy electrons. These high-energy electrons are used to create ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which is the primary energy source for cellular activities in the tree.
5. Synthesis of glucose: The hydrogen ions produced during the previous step are combined with carbon dioxide in a series of enzymatic reactions known as the Calvin cycle. This process converts carbon dioxide and hydrogen ions into glucose, a simple sugar. Glucose serves as the primary energy source for the tree's metabolic processes.
6. Storage: Some of the glucose produced is used immediately by the tree for energy, while the excess is stored in various parts of the tree, such as roots, stems, and fruits. This stored glucose can be later converted to other carbohydrates or used to fuel growth and reproduction.
It's important to note that while trees do not "eat" in the same way as animals, they still require energy to survive. Through photosynthesis, trees are able to produce their own food using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide, with the chloroplasts being the organelles responsible for capturing sunlight and converting it into usable energy.