balance of energy used to nutrients fixed into plant material for growth
sun energy is absorbed (some is reflected)
some of the absorbed energy is used in photosynthesis
of that used for photosynthesis - needs to be coordinated with the amount of nutrients that (terrestrial plants) can get from the soil
create new carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids and nucleotides
some of this is used for growth
some of this is used to fuel the plants need for energy (roots, stems, etc.)
some of the light energy heats the plant and is dissipated by pumping water up and out through the leaves
