How Plants use Glucose

Question 1

Plants use glucose for which 5 things?

Answer 1

• For Respiration
• Making Cell Walls
• Making Protein
• Stored as Starch
• Stored in Seeds

Question 2

Plants break down glucose in respiration reactions to release energy. What do they do with this released energy?

Answer 2

Plants manufacture glucose in their leaves via photosynthesis.
They break down this glucose to release energy for respiration.
This released energy enables the plant to convert the glucose into other useful substances, which they can use to build new cells and grow.
To produce some of these substances, the plants must gather a few minerals from the soil.

Question 3

How do plants use glucose to make cell walls?

Answer 3

Glucose is converted into Cellulose for making cell walls, especially in a rapidly growing plant.

Question 4

How do plants use glucose to make proteins?

Answer 4

Glucose is combined with nitrate ions (from soil) to make amino acids, which are then made into proteins.

Question 5

How do plants use glucose to store it in seeds?

Answer 5

Glucose is converted into lipids (fats and oils) so that it can be stored in seeds.

Question 6

How do plants use glucose to store it as starch?

Answer 6

Glucose is turned into starch and stored in the roots of the plant.

Question 7

What are the benefits of storing starch?

Answer 7

Starch can be broken down by the plant when supplies of glucose are low.
Starch is insoluble, meaning it’s easier to store than glucose.
If a plant has too much glucose, it’ll absorb a lot of water and swell.