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How do plants grow?
Quick answer
Plants grow by making their own food through photosynthesis and pulling water and minerals from the soil. Using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide, they build sugars for energy and new tissue, growing roots down and stems and leaves up. Roots absorb water and minerals from the soil.
Step by step
- Roots absorb water and minerals from the soil.
- Leaves capture sunlight and carbon dioxide.
- Photosynthesis turns these into sugars for energy and growth.
- Cells divide and expand, growing roots, stems, and leaves.
People also ask
How do plants grow?
They photosynthesize sunlight, water, and CO2 into sugars, and use those plus soil minerals to build new tissue.
What do plants need to grow?
Sunlight, water, carbon dioxide, nutrients from soil, and a suitable temperature.
How do plants grow toward light?
Growth hormones make cells on the shaded side elongate, bending the plant toward the light.
Part of the guide: Nature & Earth: Living Things and Rocks →