AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -One of the major differences between plants and animals is plants’ ability to manufacture their own food. This process is called photosynthesis, which literally means “to put together with light.” To produce food, a plant requires energy from the sun, carbon dioxide from the air and water from the soil.

Detailed explanation-2: -Plants need three main ingredients to make their food: water, carbon dioxide and sunlight. Plants take up the water that they need from the soil through their roots. Carbon dioxide is a gas found in the air; plants can take in this gas through tiny holes in their leaves.

Detailed explanation-3: -Plants need energy from the sun, water from the soil, and carbon from the air to grow. Air is mostly made of nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide. So how do plants get the carbon they need to grow? They absorb carbon dioxide from the air.

Detailed explanation-4: -Soil is a major source of nutrients needed by plants for growth. The three main nutrients are nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). Together they make up the trio known as NPK. Other important nutrients are calcium, magnesium and sulfur.