4.3. Plant nutrition and respiration

RESPIRATION

NUTRITION

Autotrophism

Most plants are autotrophs, organisms that synthesize all their own organic nutrients and do not rely on other organisms for food. 
The reason that plants are autotrophic is that they carry out photosynthesis in their leaves. In the process of photosynthesis, the plant converts water, carbon dioxide, and light energy into oxygen, sugars, and more water. The oxygen is released into the surrounding air through the stomata, and the sugars (organic nutrients) are transported throughout the plant body to areas of growth and storage.