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how will plants living in underwater sea gets carbon dioxide for photosynthesis? will photosynthesis takes place there? |
Good question! Chemically, the photosynthetic process that land and aquatic plants use to produce food is identical. Both types of plants require carbon dioxide, water, and energy to produce glucose (their food). The only difference between photosynthesis in aquatic and land plants is where in their environments they get these nutrients. Land plants get water from the ground through their extensive root system, carbon dioxide from the air through their stomata (tiny holes in a plant's leaves), and energy from the sun. Aquatic plants get water and carbon dioxide from their aquatic environment and, like the land plants, light energy from the sun. Even though the plant is underwater, it still gets its energy from the sun because sunlight can pass through water. While for marine plants, they are adapted with waxy stems and leaves. This aids in absorbing water, while preventing the entry of salt to their system. In addition, some marine plants have specialized features to remove salt as soon as possible. All these processes help in regulating the osmotic balance, which otherwise will cause leaching of water and desiccation of plants. This way, aquatic plants undergo photosynthesis under water. The products of photosynthesis in aquatic plants, basically carbohydrate and oxygen, are used by other organisms living in the same biotic community. And just like animals, plants do require oxygen, but in small amounts. This is obtained from the oxygen released at the time of photosynthesis. |