Plant Structure and Function

Roots

• Underground plant structures that absorb water and nutrients from the soil
• Functions:
  • Anchor the plant in the soil
  • Absorb water and nutrients
  • Store food and nutrients
• Types of roots:
  • Taproot: single, thick main root (e.g., carrots)
  • Fibrous roots: many thin roots (e.g., grasses)
  • Adventitious roots: roots that grow from stems or leaves (e.g., ivy)

Stems

• Above-ground plant structures that support the plant and transport materials
• Functions:
  • Support the plant's weight and height
  • Transport water, nutrients, and sugars between roots and leaves
  • Store food and nutrients
• Types of stems:
  • Herbaceous stems: soft, non-woody stems (e.g., grasses)
  • Woody stems: hard, woody stems (e.g., trees)

Leaves

• Organs that carry out photosynthesis
• Functions:
  • Produce food through photosynthesis
  • Release excess water through transpiration
  • Regulate gas exchange
• Structures:
  • Blade: flat part of the leaf
  • Petiole: stalk that attaches the leaf to the stem
  • Veins: transport water, nutrients, and sugars

Flowers

• Reproductive structures of plants
• Functions:
  • Produce seeds and fruits
  • Attract pollinators (e.g., bees, butterflies)
  • Contain reproductive organs (stamen, pistil)
• Parts of a flower:
  • Sepals: protective, green structures
  • Petals: colorful, attractive structures
  • Stamen: male reproductive organs
  • Pistil: female reproductive organ

Seeds

• Small, embryonic plants that develop into new plants
• Functions:
  • Contain the genetic material for a new plant
  • Provide nutrients for germination
  • Protect the embryo from environmental stress
• Structures:
  • Embryo: tiny, immature plant
  • Endosperm: nutrient-rich tissue
  • Seed coat: protective outer layer

Roots

• Absorb water and nutrients from the soil, anchoring the plant
• Store food and nutrients, supporting plant growth
• Taproot: thick main root (e.g., carrots), Fibrous roots: many thin roots (e.g., grasses), Adventitious roots: roots from stems or leaves (e.g., ivy)

Stems

• Support the plant's weight and height, transporting water, nutrients, and sugars
• Store food and nutrients, providing structural support
• Herbaceous stems: soft, non-woody stems (e.g., grasses), Woody stems: hard, woody stems (e.g., trees)

Leaves

• Carry out photosynthesis, producing food for the plant
• Release excess water through transpiration, regulating gas exchange
• Blade: flat part of the leaf, Petiole: stalk attaching the leaf to the stem, Veins: transporting water, nutrients, and sugars

Flowers

• Produce seeds and fruits, attracting pollinators (e.g., bees, butterflies)
• Contain reproductive organs (stamen, pistil), facilitating reproduction
• Sepals: protective, green structures, Petals: colorful, attractive structures, Stamen: male reproductive organs, Pistil: female reproductive organ

Seeds

• Contain genetic material for a new plant, providing nutrients for germination
• Protect the embryo from environmental stress, supporting early growth
• Embryo: tiny, immature plant, Endosperm: nutrient-rich tissue, Seed coat: protective outer layer

Learn about the different parts of plants, including roots and stems, and their functions in supporting the plant and absorbing nutrients.