How do purple cabbage make their food?

Purple cabbage, like all plants, makes its food through a process called photosynthesis. Here's a breakdown:

1. Sunlight: Purple cabbage leaves contain a green pigment called chlorophyll. Chlorophyll absorbs sunlight, primarily the red and blue wavelengths.

2. Carbon Dioxide: Cabbage takes in carbon dioxide from the air through tiny pores on its leaves called stomata.

3. Water: Water is absorbed from the soil through the roots and transported to the leaves.

4. The Magic: Inside the chloroplasts (tiny organelles within the plant cells), chlorophyll uses the energy from sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose (a type of sugar) and oxygen. This chemical reaction is summarized in the equation:

6CO2 + 6H2O + sunlight energy → C6H12O6 + 6O2

5. Food and Energy: The glucose produced is the plant's food source. It provides energy for growth, development, and all other life processes. The oxygen released as a byproduct is essential for animals and other living organisms.

Important Note: The purple color of the cabbage comes from pigments called anthocyanins, which are separate from chlorophyll. These pigments absorb different wavelengths of light and give the cabbage its distinct color. However, they don't play a direct role in photosynthesis.