Chapter+1-Nutrition

=Introduction= toc Nutrition can be defined as the process by which an organism obtains food which is used to provide energy and materials for its life sustaining activities. Thus the term nutrition includes the means by which an organism obtains its food and also the processes by which the nutrients in the food are broken down to simpler molecules for utilization by the body. Thus the study of the process of nutrition in various organisms gives us an idea about their nutritional requirements. Various inorganic and organic raw materials are required for building the structure and maintaining the body functions of an organism.

[[image:http://images.tutorvista.com/content/plant-nutrition/nutrition-modes-plants.gif width="528" height="325" align="middle" caption="modes of nutrition in plants"]]
=Videos=

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=Photosynthesis=

“The [|leaf] is the primary site of photosynthesis in plants.” when light gets to a plant, the plant doesn't use all of it. It actually uses only certain colors to make photosynthesis happen. Plants mostly absorb ** red ** and ** blue ** wavelengths. When you see a color, it is actually a color that the object does NOT absorb. In the case of green plants, they do not absorb light from the green range.
 * Photosynthesis ** (from the [|Greek] // [photo-] //, "light," and // [synthesis] // , "putting together.", "composition") is a process that converts [|carbon dioxide] into [|organic compounds] , especially [|sugars] , using the energy from sunlight. Carbon dioxide is converted into sugars in a process called [|carbon fixation] . Photosynthetic organisms are called // [|photoautotrophs] // , since it allows them to create their own food. In plants, algae and [|cyanobacteria] photosynthesis uses carbon dioxide and [|water] , releasing [|oxygen] as a waste product. Photosynthesis is vital for [|life on Earth] . As well as maintaining the normal level of oxygen in the [|atmosphere] , nearly all life either depends on it directly as a source of energy, or indirectly as the ultimate source of the energy in their food.

photosynthesis happens in the chloroplast. Within this cell ** organelle ** is the chlorophyll that captures the light from the Sun. ** Chlorophyll ** is the magic compound that can grab that sunlight and start the whole process. Chlorophyll is actually quite a varied compound. There are four (4) types: a, b, c, and d. Chlorophyll can also be found in many microorganisms and even some prokaryotic cells. However, as far as plants are concerned, the chlorophyll is found in the chloroplasts. Carbon dioxide and water combine with light to create oxygen and glucose. That glucose is used in various forms by every creature on the planet. The whole process of PHOTOSYNTHESIS doesn't happen all at one time. The process of photosynthesis is divided into two main parts. The first part is called the ** light dependent reaction **. This reaction happens when the light energy is captured and pushed into a chemical called ATP. The second part of the process happens when the ATP is used to make glucose (the ** Calvin Cycle ** ). That second part is called the ** light independent reaction **.

Factors affecting rate pf photosynthesis
[] =Animations= @http://www.compulink.co.uk/~argus/Dreambio/photosynthesis/photosynthsis%20animation.htm

=Power point presentation on Photosynthesis=

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