Nutrition
Adiantum pedatum is autotrophic, meaning it
creates its own food/energy by means of photosynthesis. The general
equation for photosynthesis is as follows-
6CO2 + 6H2O
(+ light energy)
C6H12O6
+ 6O2
In order for photosynthesis to occur, sunlight, chlorophyll (which is located in the chloroplast), water, and carbon dioxide from the air are needed. It is important that this process occurs because it creates food for the plant, which then generates food for animals, and then eventually us humans.
How does photosynthesis occur? Well, water is taken up from the soil by the plants root system. It is then pulled up the plant though the xylem. You may be wondering, pulled?? Yes, through transpiration, adhesion, cohesion, and tension the water is able to be pulled up the plant to areas where it is needed. Carbon dioxide enters the plant through stomata, tiny openings in the plant that also let out oxygen. The carbon dioxide then goes to cells that contain chlorophyll. The sunlight's job is to break the water up into oxygen, which leaves through the stomata for us to breathe, and then hydrogen, which is used to make the sugars for the plant. Most photosynthesis takes place in the leaves of the plant.
Plants uptake nutrients in the soil via their roots and air their leaves. The stomata in the leaves release oxygen and take in carbon dioxide. The xylem transfers water and nutrients up the plant to various parts. The phloem takes the sugars created and transfers those down to parts of the plant to keep it living. Food is stored as starch in the maidenhair fern as well.
