End products of photosynthesis and their fate

• Green leaves manufacture starch or sugar during the photosynthesis process
• Oxygen is also given out.
• The oxygen passes out of the leaves by the process of diffusion.
• It diffuses into the surrounding air.
• There are microscopic holes/pores on the underside surface of leaves.
• These pores are known as stomata (plural) or stoma (singular).
• These pores allow carbon dioxide entry and oxygen to exit the leaf.
• The carbohydrate(starch/sugars) molecules that are formed during the photosynthesis process are transported  to other parts of the plant.
• Some parts of the plant have no chlorophyll and thus cannot photosynthesise.
• Carbohydrates are transported as sugars as these molecules are soluble.
• These sugars are transported from the leaves through microscopic tubes to the other parts of the plant.
• This process of transportation is known as translocation.
• The carbohydrates can either be used immediately to supply energy to the plant or they are stored.
• If they are stored they are first converted into starch which is an insoluble compound.
• Starch is stored in the leaves as a source of energy at night or in special organs.
• Some seeds, fruits, roots and tubers for example potatoes contain large amounts of starch.
• Carbohydrates may also be converted into structural molecules in the plant.
• Cellulose is one such strong structural compound formed from carbohydrates.
• It is used to make up cell walls in plants and helps to give plants support.
• Cellulose makes up the fibrous parts of plants.
• The fiber in plants like carrots, sugar cane and mangoes forms an essential part of human diet.
• All this fiber comes is made up of cellulose.

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