Trees and Plants

Plants are extraordinary living things. Unlike animals, which must eat other living things, plants make their very own food. They do this using three ingredients: sunlight, water from the soil, and a gas from the air called carbon dioxide. This food-making process is called photosynthesis, a word that means "putting together with light".

Photosynthesis happens mostly in the leaves, which contain a green substance called chlorophyll. Chlorophyll captures the energy in sunlight, a bit like a tiny solar panel, and uses it to turn water and carbon dioxide into a sugar the plant uses for energy and growth. It is the green colour of chlorophyll that makes leaves and grass look green.

A plant has four main parts, and each one has a special job. The roots anchor the plant firmly in the soil and soak up water and minerals. The stem holds the plant up and carries water up to the leaves, a bit like a set of pipes. The leaves capture sunlight and carry out photosynthesis. The flowers attract pollinating insects and help the plant make seeds.