Following new curriculum standards for Middle School Life Science studies, this video program takes an in-depth look at how plants depend on light and water to survive. Plants are the starting point in the food chain. All other life forms depend directly or indirectly on plants. And, all plant life depends on photosynthesis. Viewers will learn the mechanics of photosynthesis and the roles of water, CO2, chlorophyll, light, oxygen, glucose and glucose storage (starch). Next, the products of photosynthesis are studied: the role of glucose in powering cellular respiration; and, the development of special organs to store starch. Experiments are presented demonstrating how to test for the presence of starch with iodine and how to measure the level of oxygen produced in photosynthesis. Cellular respiration is the constant process of breaking down glucose to release energy. It occurs in all cells all the time. Cellular respiration is compared to photosynthesis and the chemical interactions of the two processes are discussed and illustrated using laboratory experiments. The role of water in plant survival is studied. Transportation, transpiration and translocation are defined and illustrated. The role of xylem and phloem in water and nutrient movement is demonstrated using capillary tubes and dyes. Osmosis, the process of diffusion of water into and out of cell membranes, is illustrated. Finally, the roles of roots and leaves are examined to understand how water moves into the plant and is transpired into the atmosphere.