Why Would Sugar Help a Plant Grow?
The Process Carbohydrates can be used, stored or processed into complex compounds such as proteins and oils. Stored or complex compounds may be used by the plant if there is limited light or to develop fruit. It may also transport the food to the roots. The food that is created is known as photosynthates. In addition to providing food, the natural sugars in the plant aid in retaining moisture within the soil. A layer of mesophyll cells containing chloroplasts (organelles found within plant cells) are located in layers of plant leaves. Photosynthesis occurs in the chloroplasts. Each square millimeter of mesophyll cells has about 400,000 chloroplasts, which also contain the green pigment of leaves. If photosynthesis stops as a consequence of lack of carbon dioxide, water or light for a long period, the plant will die. Balance In a 2005 report published on the University of Southern California website, a student reported the results of adding sugar to bean plants. She began the study with
