Use & Storage of Carbohydrates (Cambridge International IGCSE Biology)

Spec point — 6.1.3 · Outline the subsequent use and storage of the carbohydrates made in photosynthesis, limited to: (a) starch as an energy store (b) cellulose to build cell walls (c) glucose used in respiration to provide energy (d) sucrose for transport in the phloem (e) nectar to attract insects for pollination

Use & storage of carbohydrates

How are the products of photosynthesis used?

• The carbohydrates produced by plants during photosynthesis can be:

  • converted into starch molecules which act as an effective energy store
  • converted into cellulose to build cell walls
  • glucose can be used in respiration to provide energy
  • converted to sucrose for transport in the phloem
  • as nectar to attract insects for pollination

• Plants can also convert the carbohydrates they make into lipids for an energy source in seeds and into amino acids (used to make proteins) when combined with nitrogen and other mineral ions absorbed by roots

The uses of glucose produced by photosynthesis in plants