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

Use & Storage of Carbohydrates

• The carbohydrates produced by plants during photosynthesis can be used or stored as follows:

  • Converted into starch molecules; these are an energy store for plant cells

  • Converted into cellulose to build cell walls

  • Glucose can be used in respiration, which releases energy for cell activities

  • Glucose can be converted to sucrose for transport in the phloem

• Plants can also convert the carbohydrates that they produce into lipids and amino acids

Glucose uses in plants diagram

Glucose can be used immediately in respiration, or converted into other molecules