Fate of Glucose inside plants

Stored as starch:

 

Glucose is converted into starch and is transported away to be stored in roots, stem and leaves.  This is then ready made food to be used when photosynthesis is not taking place i.e., during winter.  Glucose is soluble and quite reactive substance.  It is not, therefore, a handy storage molecule.  Unlike glucose, starch is insoluble, uncreative and convenient to store because it doesn't swell the storage cells by osmosis.  Hence preventing damage to the cells.

 

Stored in seeds:

 

Fats and oils, commonly known as lipids, found in seeds are made from glucose.  For example, Sunflower seeds consist of a lot of oil - used to make margarine and cooking oil.

 

Required for transport:

 

Glucose is used to make energy, which is required to transport substances around the plant, especially for ACTIVE UPTAKE of minerals in the roots.

 

Used to make fruit:

 

Glucose may be used to make other sugars, such as sucrose for storing in fruits.  Most fruits taste nice and are eaten by animals. This is one of the ways plants are adapted to spread their seeds around.

 

Used to make cell walls:

 

Glucose is used to make other organic substances, such as cellulose for making cell walls, particularly in fast growing plants.

 

Used to make proteins:

 

Nitrates from the soil combine with glucose to make amino acids which are then put together to make proteins.

 

Required for respiration:

 

Plants make glucose in the leaves.  Some of that is used straight away for respiration to get energy, which is then used to convert rest of the glucose together with minerals from the soil into many other useful substances.  These are then used for new cells and growth.