Concept of Nutrition in Plants

Most plants are autotrophic. They synthesize their own food. The green plants, also called the producers, trap the solar energy and convert it into chemical energy of the food. The biochemical reactions in the body which result in the formation of chemical compounds are collectively called anabolic reactions. Food is required to provide energy. The compound that can be easily broken down in order to yield energy is glucose.

Thus, the plants synthesize glucose which is stored in the form of starch. For e.g., Photosynthesis. As opposed to anabolic reactions, there are catabolic reactions which are the reactions that break down complex molecules into simpler ones. For example, respiration. Together, the two types of reactions are called the metabolic reactions.

That is,

Anabolism + Catabolism Metabolism

Let's now learn about photosynthesis.