Book 2, Question 144 · Video
Why Do Trees Help Us Breathe?
Take a deep breath. Part of that fresh air came from plants! Leaves trade gases! Forests are giant air helpers, but not the only ones. A single big tree can make enough oxygen for
Read the full answer →What Crafty Clover says in this video
Intro
Hey there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why do trees help us breathe?
The Big Idea
Take a deep breath. Part of that fresh air came from plants! Leaves trade gases! They take in carbon dioxide, and release the oxygen we use. Trees and other plants are like tiny air factories. Together, plants and animals trade gases in a great big circle.
Leaves Catch Sunlight
Step one: leaves catch sunlight. Leaves are flat and wide, so they can catch lots of sunshine. A green stuff inside leaves, called chlorophyll, captures the light. Plants take in what we breathe out, and give us what we breathe in.
They Use Air and Water
Step two: they use air and water. Leaves take in carbon dioxide from the air, and roots bring up water from the soil. Those are the ingredients for making food. Trees also store carbon in their wood as they grow.
They Make Food
Step three: they make food. Using the power of sunlight, the plant turns air and water into sugar. That sugar gives the plant energy to grow.
A Closer Look
Let's take a closer look at what leaves do! First, leaves catch sunlight. Second, they use air and water. Third, they make food. And fourth, oxygen comes out, for us to breathe.
Quick Facts
Quick facts! Forests are giant air helpers, but not the only ones. A single big tree can make enough oxygen for a few people in a year. Ocean plants and tiny ocean algae make a lot of Earth's oxygen, too. Plants also breathe in a little oxygen at night, just like us. Trees give shade, homes for animals, and clean air for everybody.
Think Like a Scientist
Now, think like a scientist! Sit under a tree, and notice the shade and the air. Notice how the air feels under the leaves. Take a slow, deep breath. Thank the tree in your mind. Can you explain how the tree helps you breathe?
Outro
Every leaf is a tiny helper that shares fresh air with us! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!