Plant Anatomy Overview

Overview of Plant Parts

• Plants are comprised of several organs that work together to carry out essential functions.
• These organs can be classified into two main categories: vegetative and reproductive organs.

Vegetative Organs

• Roots
  • Found underground
  • Anchor the plant and absorb water and nutrients from the soil
  • Types: taproot (carrot), fibrous root (grass), and adventitious root (potato)
• Stem
  • Connects the roots to the leaves
  • Provides support and allows for transportation of water, nutrients, and sugars
  • Types: herbaceous (non-woody) and woody (tree-like)
• Leaves
  • Carry out photosynthesis
  • Consist of blade (flat part), petiole (stem), and veins (vascular tissue)

Reproductive Organs

• Flower
  • Responsible for reproduction
  • Consists of sepals (protective), petals (attractive), stamen (male), and carpels (female)
• Fruit
  • Develops from the ovary of a flower
  • Contains seeds and protects them until germination
  • Types: simple (e.g., banana), aggregate (e.g., raspberry), and composite (e.g., pineapple)
• Seed
  • Embryo of a new plant
  • Consists of seed coat, endosperm (food source), and embryo (radicle and cotyledon)

Plant Structure

• Plants consist of vegetative and reproductive organs that work together to perform essential functions.

Vegetative Organs

• Roots
  • Found underground, anchoring the plant and absorbing water and nutrients from the soil.
  • Types: taproot (e.g., carrot), fibrous root (e.g., grass), and adventitious root (e.g., potato).
• Stem
  • Connects roots to leaves, providing support and facilitating transportation of water, nutrients, and sugars.
  • Types: herbaceous (non-woody) and woody (tree-like).
• Leaves
  • Perform photosynthesis, responsible for plant growth and development.
  • Consist of blade (flat part), petiole (stem), and veins (vascular tissue).

Reproductive Organs

• Flowers
  • Responsible for plant reproduction.
  • Consist of sepals (protective), petals (attractive), stamen (male), and carpels (female).
• Fruits
  • Develop from the ovary of a flower.
  • Contain seeds and protect them until germination.
  • Types: simple (e.g., banana), aggregate (e.g., raspberry), and composite (e.g., pineapple).
• Seeds
  • Contain an embryo of a new plant.
  • Consist of seed coat, endosperm (food source), and embryo (radicle and cotyledon).