Plants – Those living organisms that make their food itself and can’t move are called plants.
Ex- Mango, Papaya, Neem, Pine, Coriander etc.
Food – Those substances that are eaten by us to do work, grow, maintain our body and remain healthy are called food.
OR
Those substances that organism eats to get energy is called food.
Producers (उत्पादक): -Those organisms that make their own food are called producers.
Ex- plants
The green plants are called producers because they make their own food by the process of photosynthesis.
They do not have to obtain energy from other organisms.
They obtain their energy from the sun and make food through the process of photosynthesis.
Producers are also called autotrophs (स्वपोषी).
Some small organisms that produce food through photosynthesis as well as plant.
Ex- Sea slug, Spotted salamander, Oriental hornet, Pea aphid
Producers are at the beginning of any simple food chain.
Leaves – The green, flat lateral part of plant is called leaf.
OR
The green part of the plant that prepares food for the plant is called leaf.
The leaves hold a green pigment called chlorophyll.
Due to chlorophyll the colour of leaves is green.
Photosynthesis only occurs on the upper surface of the leaf, it can occur on both sides in some plant species.
The outer surface of the leaf has a waxy coating which protects the leaf.
Parts of Leaves –
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The stalk that joins the leaf to a stem is called petiole.
The pit of the leaf is called apex.
The edge of the leaf is called margin.
The flat surface of the leaf is called leaf blade or lamina.
The vascular tissue of leaf is called vein. It transports the water and food.
The thin tube running in the middle of the leaf is called main vain/midrib.
The tiny pores present on the lower surface of the leaves are called stomata.
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Stomata – It helps in the exchange of gases.
Stomata is very tinny pores which can be seen only by microscope.
Stomata presents on the lower surface and edge of the leaf(margin).
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Function of Leaves
Leaf collects sunlight for photosynthesis.
Leaf helps the plant to prepare is food.
Leaf helps in transpiration.
Leaves prepare the food by the process of photosynthesis.
Leaves help in exchange of gases.
Some leaves store the food like- Spinach, Mustard plant, Cabbage, Lettuce etc.
Importance of Leaves
Leaf is very important part of the plant. Leaf contains green pigment called chlorophyll.
Chlorophyll provides the green colour to the leaf.
Chlorophyll turns water (H2O) and carbon dioxide gas (CO2) into sugar and oxygen gas (O2) in the presence of sunlight. This process is called photosynthesis.
Plant parts as food
We eat various(many) part of plant as food like- Leaves, Stem, Flowers, Fruits, Roots and Seeds etc.
Leaves – We eat leaves of some plant like- Spinach, Mustard plant, Cabbage, Lettuce etc.
Roots – We eat roots of some plant like – Carrot, Ginger, Radish, Onion, Beet, Sweet potato and turnip etc.
Stems – We eat stems of some plant like- Onion, Potato, Ginger, Garlic and turmeric etc.
Fruits – We eat fruits of some plant like- Apple, Banana, Grapes, Pomegranate etc.
Flowers – We eat flowers of some plant like- Flower of banana, pumpkin, sunflower, Jasmine, dandelion and gladiolus etc.
Seeds – We eat seeds of some plant like- wheat, maize, rice, millet, peas, pulses etc.
Some plants have two or more edible (eatable) parts. For example: seeds of mustard plants give us oil and the leaves are used as a vegetable.
Not all the plants are edible, some may be poisonous too. For example: Oleander, Castor bean, Datura, Stramonium, Dieffenbachia
Sprouts of moong dal and chana is eaten as a healthy snack.
Note – Sprouts is the white root like structure coming out of seeds when soaked in water overnight.
Cinnamon is an example in which bark of tree is used as a spice.
Preparation of Food by Leaves – Leaves make their food by the process of photosynthesis.
Photosynthesis – The process by which green plants make their food with the help of carbon dioxide, water, sunlight and chlorophyll is called photosynthesis.
During the procedure of photosynthesis, plants release oxygen into the air
Carbon dioxide + water SunlightChlorophyll![]()
→ Glucose (food) + Oxygen
6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2 ↑![]()
Note:
Due to preparation of food in leaves they are called the food factories of plants/kitchen of plant.
How plants use their food?
The food is used by plant in different ways:
It is used for the growth of a plant. It is used to get energy.
The extra food is stored in the fruit, stem and root. we consume these parts of plant as food.
Interdependence of Plants and animals – Interdependence means the dependence of two or more things on each other. The process by which all organisms depend on one another for their survival is called interdependence.
Plants depend on animals for CO2, (during photosynthesis), bees & butterflies help in pollination & dispersal of seeds.
Earthworms & other organisms make the soil fertile for plant growth.
Animals depend on plants for food, medicines, supply of O2, removal of CO2,
shelter-plants are homes for variety of animals & provide material for building & furniture, clothing – human beings.
Note – Both animals & plants depend on sun, air, water, soil for their growth & sustenance.
Food chain – The process by which one organism depends on another organism for food is called food chain.
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Saprophytic Plants – Those plants which take food from dead and decaying organism are called saprophytes.
Ex: non-green plants like moulds, mushrooms and fungi.
Parasitic Plants – Those plants which depend on other plants for food are called saprophytes. Ex: Dodder (amarbel)
Leaves of some plants like cactus is reduced to spines. So, the process of photosynthesis and storing good takes place in the stem only.
Some plants like croton have colourful leaves (mostly red). These leaves have chlorophyll but that is hidden by the other colour. So, these plants can prepare their own food.
Interdependence of Plants and animals
A balance between plants and animals is needed to maintain life on the earth.
If number of animals increases than plants can’t be able to supply enough food and oxygen to all animals.
If number of plants increases than animals can’t be able to supply enough carbon dioxide to all plants. So, a balance between plants and animals is very important.
Wild animals are given protection under wildlife protection act.
Plants are protected by many programmes like Vanmahotasava, Chipko Movement and Apiko movement.
