156 



PLANT STUDIES 



power by which the work of the plant is carried on (see 



§27). 



117. Summary of life-processes. — To summarize the nu- 

 tritive life-processes in green j^lants, therefore, plwtosyn- 



thesis manufactures carbohydrates, 

 the materials used being carbon 

 dioxide and water, the work being 

 done by the chloroplast with the 

 aid of light ; the manufacture of 

 proteids uses these carbohydrates, 

 and also substances containing 

 nitrogen, sulphur, etc.; digestion 

 puts the insoluble carbohydrates 

 and the proteids into a soluble 

 form for transfer through the 

 plant; assimilation converts this 

 food material into the living sub- 

 stance of the plant, protoplasm ; 

 respiration is the oxidizing of the 

 protoplasm which enables the 

 plant to work, oxygen being ab- 

 sorbed, and carbon dioxide and 

 water vapor being given off in 

 the process. 



118. Plants without chlorophyll. 

 — Eemembering the life-processes 

 described under green plants, it is 

 evident that plants without chlo- 



Fia 147. The Smithern pitcher ..^ j ^ ^^^^^^^^ ^^ the WOrk of 

 plant, showing the funnelform ^ -^ 

 and winged pitcher, and the photosyuthcsis. This mCaUS that 



overarching hood with trausiu- |.|-^g„ caunot manufacture carbo- 



cent spots. — After Keener, "^ 



hydrates, and that they must de- 

 pend upon other plants or animals for this important food. 

 Mushrooms, puff-balls, moulds, mildews, rusts, dodder, 

 corpse plants, beech drops, etc., may be taken as illustra- 

 tions of such plants. 



