Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →

What Is Glucose Used for in a Plant?

Glucose Production

Plants need sunlight to change water and carbon dioxide into a form that they can use. This process, called photosynthesis, uses chlorophyll from the plant's leaves to produce carbohydrates and oxygen. Initially, the type of carbohydrate that photosynthesis produces in plants is glucose. Once the plant has captured the energy from the sun to break down carbon dioxide and water into glucose, it is then used as an essential part of the plant's metabolism. Plant proteins, enzymes and even its genetic make-up are all produced thanks to glucose. Plant glucose is also changed into fats and complex carbohydrates, which are starches.

Glucose Use

Plants use glucose in much the same way that humans do, specifically, as energy to carry out everyday functions. Glucose helps plants to have strong cell walls and tissues. The plant uses part of its glucose supply to form fiber, or cellulose. Besides giving the plant structure in the stems and leaves, plant cellulose provides humans and animals with an important source of dietary fiber. Plants also transform glucose into starches and fats. For example, in potatoes, glucose becomes a complex carbohydrate, or a starch. Starch is also found in wheat or rice, and in all whole grains. Plants use glucose to become starch in their seeds. Later, this starch forms an important source of energy during germination.

  • Plants need sunlight to change water and carbon dioxide into a form that they can use.
  • The plant uses part of its glucose supply to form fiber, or cellulose.

Photosynthesis

Plants need sunlight to successfully carry out photosynthesis. Leaves that have direct exposure to the sun for many hours produce glucose faster than leaves that are in the shade. The green color you observe in plant leaves is actually chlorophyll, which is the other key component in photosynthesis. Thanks to this process, plants are able to produce their own source of energy, glucose. Humans benefit from photosynthesis as well. Besides oxygen production, plants' transformation of glucose into complex carbohydrates such as starch and cellulose contribute toward a healthy diet.

Related Articles

Why Do Plants Need Hydrogen?
Why Do Plants Need Hydrogen?
The Effects of Vitamin C & Folic Acid on the Growth of Plants
The Effects of Vitamin C & Folic Acid on the Growth...
Active Ingredients in Miracle Grow
Active Ingredients in Miracle Grow
What Part of a Plant Makes Its Food?
What Part of a Plant Makes Its Food?
What Substances Are Produced by Photosynthesis?
What Substances Are Produced by Photosynthesis?
What Parts Do Non-Vascular Plants Have?
What Parts Do Non-Vascular Plants Have?
Can Gatorade Make Plants Grow Faster?
Can Gatorade Make Plants Grow Faster?
Vitamins & Plant Growth
Vitamins & Plant Growth
Importance of Water to Plants
Importance of Water to Plants
How Do Plants Get Food and Water?
How Do Plants Get Food and Water?
What Substance Gives Plants Their Green Color?
What Substance Gives Plants Their Green Color?
Orgone & Plant Growth
Orgone & Plant Growth
Too Much Magnesium for Plants
Too Much Magnesium for Plants
Facts About the Plant Kingdom
Facts About the Plant Kingdom
5 Different Stages of Flower Growth
5 Different Stages of Flower Growth
The Anatomy of a Pea Plant
The Anatomy of a Pea Plant
Garden Guides
×