Plant Structure and Function

Roots

• Underground plant structures responsible for:
  • Absorbing water and nutrients from the soil
  • Anchoring the plant in place
  • Storing food and nutrients
• Types of roots:
  • Taproot: single, thick main root (e.g., carrots)
  • Fibrous roots: many small roots (e.g., grasses)
  • Adventitious roots: roots that grow from stems or leaves (e.g., ivy)

Stems

• Above-ground plant structures responsible for:
  • Supporting leaves and flowers
  • Transporting water, nutrients, and sugars between roots and leaves
  • Providing a framework for plant growth
• Types of stems:
  • Herbaceous stems: non-woody, soft stems (e.g., herbs)
  • Woody stems: hard, rigid stems (e.g., trees)

Leaves

• Organs responsible for:
  • Photosynthesis: converting sunlight into energy
  • Gas exchange: exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide
  • Transpiration: releasing water vapor
• Leaf structures:
  • Blade (lamina): the flat part of the leaf
  • Petiole: the stalk connecting the leaf to the stem
  • Veins: networks of tubes that transport water and nutrients

Flowers

• Reproductive structures responsible for:
  • Producing seeds and fruits
  • Attracting pollinators (e.g., bees, butterflies)
  • Ensuring genetic diversity
• Flower parts:
  • Sepals: green, leaf-like structures that protect the bud
  • Petals: colorful structures that attract pollinators
  • Stamens: male reproductive organs (anthers and filaments)
  • Carpels: female reproductive organs (stigma, style, and ovary)

Fruits and Seeds

• Fruits: mature ovaries containing seeds
• Seeds: reproductive structures containing embryonic plants
• Functions:
  • Dispersal: spreading seeds to new locations
  • Protection: protecting the embryo from environmental stress
  • Nutrition: providing nutrients for seedling growth

Roots

• Absorb water and nutrients from the soil and anchor the plant in place
• Store food and nutrients for later use
• Taproot: single, thick main root (e.g., carrots)
• Fibrous roots: many small roots (e.g., grasses)
• Adventitious roots: roots that grow from stems or leaves (e.g., ivy)

Stems

• Support leaves and flowers
• Transport water, nutrients, and sugars between roots and leaves
• Provide a framework for plant growth
• Herbaceous stems: non-woody, soft stems (e.g., herbs)
• Woody stems: hard, rigid stems (e.g., trees)

Leaves

• Perform photosynthesis, converting sunlight into energy
• Exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide through gas exchange
• Release water vapor through transpiration
• Consist of a blade (lamina), petiole, and veins
• Veins: networks of tubes that transport water and nutrients

Flowers

• Produce seeds and fruits
• Attract pollinators (e.g., bees, butterflies)
• Ensure genetic diversity
• Consist of sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels
• Stamens: male reproductive organs (anthers and filaments)
• Carpels: female reproductive organs (stigma, style, and ovary)

Fruits and Seeds

• Fruits: mature ovaries containing seeds
• Seeds: reproductive structures containing embryonic plants
• Facilitate dispersal, spreading seeds to new locations
• Protect the embryo from environmental stress
• Provide nutrients for seedling growth

Test your knowledge of plant roots and stems, including their functions and types. Learn about taproot, fibrous roots, and adventitious roots, and understand how stems support plant growth.