Nutrition in Plants and Organisms

Nutrition in Plants and Organisms

• Autotrophic Nutrition: Organisms that make their own food from simple substances (e.g., plants) are called autotrophs.
• Heterotrophic Nutrition: Organisms that obtain food from other organisms (e.g., animals) are called heterotrophs.
• Photosynthesis: Plants use chlorophyll to capture sunlight's energy and synthesize food (carbohydrates) from carbon dioxide and water. This process occurs in the presence of sunlight.
• Chlorophyll: A green pigment in leaves that absorbs sunlight for photosynthesis.
• Sun as Ultimate Energy Source: The sun is the primary source of energy for all living things; energy captured by photosynthesis is transferred through the food chain.
• Iodine Test (For Starch): Used to identify the presence of carbohydrates (starch) in leaves, indicating if photosynthesis has occurred.

Other Nutrition Types

• Photosynthesis in Non-Green Leaves: Plants with leaves containing pigments besides green chlorophyll can still perform photosynthesis.

• Nitrogen Uptake: Plants cannot absorb atmospheric nitrogen directly. Soil bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form that plants can take up with water and other nutrients. Fertilizers offer an alternative source of soil nitrogen.

• Algae: Microscopic, photosynthetic organisms found in water bodies, commonly green in color due to chlorophyll.

• Parasitic Plants (Cuscuta): Plants that do not produce their own food but obtain nutrients from a host plant, lacking chlorophyll.

• Insectivorous Plants: Carnivorous plants that supplement their nutrient requirements by trapping and digesting insects.

Saprotrophic Nutrition

• Fungi: Organisms that acquire nutrients from dead and decaying matter are called saprotrophs with a saprotrophic mode of nutrition. This mode involves absorbing nutrients from decomposing materials.

Symbiotic Relationships

• Symbiosis: A close relationship between different organisms where both benefit.
• Fungi and Plant Roots: Some fungi live within plant roots, receiving nutrients from the plant and providing the plant with water and essential minerals in return.
• Lichens: A symbiotic partnership between an alga (that photosynthesizes) and a fungus (that provides shelter and absorbs nutrients).

Plant Nutrients

• Soil Enrichment: Soil needs regular addition of nutrients (e.g., nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus) from fertilizers and manures to support plant growth.
• Nitrogen Fixation: Nitrogen gas in the air is converted to a usable form through the action of nitrogen-fixing bacteria like Rhizobium. These bacteria often live in the root nodules of legumes (e.g., beans, peas). This symbiotic relationship is advantageous for farmers.

Explore the fascinating world of nutrition in plants and other organisms with this quiz! Learn about autotrophic and heterotrophic nutrition, the process of photosynthesis, and the role of chlorophyll. Test your knowledge on how energy from the sun supports life on Earth.