Relationship

Nadira got up in the  morning with rays of sun falling on her face and a soothing cold breeze coming from open window of her bed room. When she faced  the window the first thing she noticed was the smiling  Mango  tree waving its hand wishing a very good morning to her. She also wished a very good morning to sun rays, chirping birds and who so ever made her happy. She went to her window after brushing her teeth to get fresh air and soft touch of  Mango  leaves which are trying to enter room to play with her.

Nadira always loves to exchange ideas with who-so-ever is present around her. As she reached window once she touched the leaves and whispered thank you for letting me feel good.

The Mango Tree held its head high and replied “ My pleasure! There are so many ways we make your days pleasant, smooth and even possible to happen.”

Nadira got confused, “ How you make our days possible to happen, can you explain?”

The Tree smiled and answered “ I am not talking only about myself about all those who are like me means belong to our world that is plant world.”

“ Ok!  But still I want to know more about your importance in our life.” Was the response of Nadira.

“ See, we are the only one in this world who provide food to all living over here, on Earth. We are the source of your life in another term. “ Was the proud reply of  Tree. “ not only that we purify the air around you so that you can breathe. The basic necessities of life , Nutrition, Respiration are also made possible by we Plants on this planet.”

“ Yes, That is true! Green plants Photosynthesise to prepare food, my teacher in class told.

“ Yes, they perform the process , but will they be able to do the needful without us ?”  The Sun Ray beamed .

“ Not at all’ The water in soil sends its message through a channel.

“Oh, Really !”  Nadira was not able to hold her curiosity from beaming.

“ But without me you are simply energy which cannot be utilised by Human” The Mango tree reverted back.

“ That’s true but we share the roles to perform this big task.” Was the answer of Rays which are becoming stronger.

“ OK fine. Can I know your story of working together to achieve the goal.”   Nadira was trying to establish peace. “ Can any body take the lead? ”

“ Yes of course!’ Lead was taken by the Sun ray. “ Actually me , green leaves, the water coming from soil and carbon di oxide which resides in your surrounding air play a vital role in making the Food  for you people means all Heterotrophs.”

“  Leaves are the factory or you can call it  the site where entire process happens. They have special structures or instruments which make the process happen.” Rays are on the lead.

“Hmmmmm, What are those structures? “ Nadira’s eyes were spreading wide.

“ One of those are tiny pores on upper surface of leaves, you have given a name to these pores.’  Air responded with a pleasant blow.

“ Yes these are stomata, which act as gate to allow gases and water to pass through, as your nostrils allow gases to pass through.” The air continued.

“ Oh, so trees/plants also allow gases to move in and out. Nadira exclaimed.

“  Yes, we have that facility, not only that we have proper kitchen where we prepare food in form of glucose for you people.” This was the turn of Mango tree to respond.

“ Interesting” Nadira Sat on the ground under the shade of tree.  Sun rays were reaching to her to communicate. “ What next?” was the query.

“ The final product  of process is Glucose and the raw materials are Carbon –Di-Oxide and Water. The suppliers of Carbon-Di-Oxide is air while that of water is Soil.” The Mango tree made the sources clear.  “ My roots take water from soil and send it to leaf cells through Transport channel the water pipe  made of elements called Xylem Vessels and tracheids.”  Tree was trying to take the onus. “ And stomata allows Carbon-Di Oxide to enter and reach to the cell, the kitchen of Cell “ the plastid cooks the food.”

“ But is it possible without me?”, Sun Ray interrupted.

“ Seems you play important role?” Nadira questioned while playing with the rays coming down through the canopy of tree.

“ Yes I am the fuel or energy. This is me who gives energy to the green pigment, the chloroplast of leaf  to act it like furnace.  It releases electron which breaks water molecule in its components ( H⁺  and OH ^- ). You call this step as Light Reaction, indicating my role.” Light ray smiled proudly.

“ And here only we release Oxygen gas which is life giving gas for you people and for us too, it returns to atmosphere through stomata.” The Tree added here.

“ Oh! So nice of you and thank you, but still Glucose is not in scene.” Nadira needs answer.

“ Have Patience! It is Hydrogen Ion from the water who plays important role and converts Carbon Di Oxide in Glucose by the process you call reduction.” Soil stepped in.

“ Oh, so Glucose is also prepared in Chloroplast with the help of chlorophyll” ?  Nadira inquired

“ No, only light reaction means splitting of water molecule happens in Chloroplast or plastid. Hydrogen ion moves to cytoplasm of cell, you might be knowing every living organism is made of cell and cell has many organelles and cytoplasm (the jelly like fluid). So hydrogen comes in cytoplasm and cytoplasm has carbon-di oxide so they become friends and unite to  form Glucose.” The Leaves responded gravely.

“ Oh this is how glucose is produced. Nadira seems to be satisfied. “ But as far I know this is not Glucose which we take as food it is something called starch.”

“ Yes,  you have right information. These glucose molecules do not love to be alone, so they join hands . Many Glucose molecules love to reside together. For your convenience you use term Starch for them.  So finally food gets stored in form of starch. In different parts of us. We also utilise it but much more than our need is cooked or prepared  so is stored for welfare. As from  you get  it from our fruits, while in potato it is stored there in stem for  your use and so on’ Mango tree is not missing to show its importance.

“ Wow! What a great coordination and relation between you all. Your coordination and working together without looking at difference between you results in great product. Salute to you and thank you.” Nadira has shown her gratitude, and moved to kitchen of  her house where Mummy is preparing food  for her lunch on gas stove.