Use & Storage of Carbohydrates (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Biology): Revision Note

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 (opens in a new tab)to provide energy

  • converted to sucrose for transport in the phloem (opens in a new tab)

  • 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 (opens in a new tab)