Did You Know That Trees Are Made of Air?

This is a little science fact I always enjoyed. I hope you enjoy it too.

Trees, other plants, and many other organisms use a process called photosynthesis. “Photo” = light and “synthesis” = make, put together. Photosynthesis is the process of using light to make food. More specifically, it allows plants to take energy from light and store that energy as sugar.

Plants don’t only need light, though. Think about all of the other things you need to grow plants. (I’m guessing. I have not grown very many plants successfully.) Plants need water and air too, plus nutrients from soil.

Photosynthesis involves taking light + carbon dioxide + water (the things you give a plant) and producing oxygen + sugar.

Sugars are then organized into the physical structure of the plant, such as the bark, branches, and leaves of a tree.

Here’s the cool part: sugars are made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Where do plants get those building blocks? From carbon dioxide and water. Specifically, the carbon in sugar produced by photosynthesis comes from the carbon dioxide in the air. This carbon is then integrated into the structure of the tree. TREES ARE MADE OF AIR.

The other cool part? By doing what they normally do anyway, plants are keeping us alive. They are taking carbon dioxide out of the air, which limits the severity of Climate Change, and they are providing oxygen, which we need to survive. Thanks, trees!