Nutrition

The castor bean acquires nutrients via a process known as photosynthesis.  This process converts organic molecules and carbon dioxide into sugar and oxygen.  Without this process we wouldn’t have as much oxygen in the environment as we do!

Want a larger image of the one above?  Click here to have a better look! 

The way this works is that the sun light hits organelles on the leaf called chloroplasts.  Inside of these chloroplasts are pigments called chlorophyll, these are the part that makes most plants green!  The sunlight enters the chlorophyll and the carbon dioxide enters through stomata.  Stomata are cells on the leaf that act as a gateway between the inside and the outside of the plants wall.  The energy from the sunlight and the carbon dioxide go through the Calvin Cycle to produce sugar and oxygen.  The sugar that is produced is then distributed throughout the plant by phloem.  Sugar is transported from areas where sugar concentrations are high, called sources, to areas where sugar concentrations are low, called sinks.  The oxygen diffuses out of the plant and is then consumed by other organisms.  The castor plant gains water from the water in the ground.  The water is sucked up through the roots and is then transported up the plant through xylem.  Not only are the roots responsible for getting water but they also act as a support system helping to keep the plant in the ground.

If you are interested in learning more about photosynthesis please visit Dr. M.J. Farabee’s webpage located here!  Interested in plants that are carnivorous as opposed to autotrophic?  Click here to learn about the Tropical Pitcher Plant!

Can't get enough of the castor plant?  Time to check out the castor's Reproduction! 

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