Provides short term energy storage for plants

Why is glucose a molecule in a plant?

Glucose is an energy storage molecule, and later breakdown of glucose in respiration will release the stored energy, making it available for the plant to use for growth, reproduction, etc. Visible light contains wavelengths from 300-750 nanometers (nm) and plant leaves contain photosynthetic pigments that absorb portions of the visible spectrum.

How do plants get nutrients?

Plants obtain the majority of the nutrients they need, including water, nitrogen, phosophorus, etc from the soil through their roots. The only exception is carbon, which is taken up in the form of CO2 CO 2 from the atmosphere. Many of the nutrients that plants need from the soil are positively-charged ions, called cations.

How does the availability of resources affect plant growth?

Changes in the availability of resources above- or below-ground will influence plant investment in growth in these areas. Scientists discuss the balance of above- and below-ground growth in terms of the root-to-shoot ratio, abbreviated root:shoot.

Why is nitrogen important for plants?

Nitrogen is an important plant resource and is incredibly difficult for plants to obtain. Most nitrogen on Earth is in the form of N 2 gas in the atmosphere, which plants cannot use because of the powerful triple bond between the two nitrogen atoms, which renders it inert.