AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Plants are autotrophs, which means they produce their own food. They use the process of photosynthesis to transform water, sunlight, and carbon dioxide into oxygen, and simple sugars that the plant uses as fuel. These primary producers form the base of an ecosystem and fuel the next trophic levels.

Detailed explanation-2: -Plants use a process called photosynthesis to make food. During photosynthesis, plants trap light energy with their leaves. Plants use the energy of the sun to change water and carbon dioxide into a sugar called glucose. Glucose is used by plants for energy and to make other substances like cellulose and starch.

Detailed explanation-3: -So, the main purpose of photosynthesis is to make food and produce energy for the plant.

Detailed explanation-4: -Photosynthesis is important to food chains because creatures capable of photosynthesis form the foundation of most food chains. In other words, they are the producers, capable of using solar energy to create their own food. Organisms that can produce their own food are also called autotrophs.

Detailed explanation-5: -Purpose of Photosynthesis Photosynthesis utilizes carbon dioxide to synthesis glucose and releases oxygen as a waste product. This ultimately reduces the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Secondly, as plants are manufacturing their food through photosynthesis, they act as a source of food to the heterotrophs.