2. WHAT DOES A PLANT HAVE
TO DO AROUND HERE?
The basic structures of
almost all plants are the roots, stems, leaves,
flowers, fruits and seeds.
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1. The roots
help provide support by anchoring the plant in one place. They also absorb
water and nutrients from the soil or other medium, and store sugars and
carbohydrates needed by the plants for other activities. Plants can have
either a taproot system, like a carrot, or a fibrous root
system, like many kinds of grass, or an adventitious root system.
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2. Stems
carry the water and nutrients up from the roots and distribute them to the
leaves, using xylem cells. From there, they carry the food produced
by the leaves back to other parts of the plant, using phloem cells.
Stems also help the plant to position itself for some serious sunbathing.
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3. The plant's
leaves are the food-makers, where photosynthesis occurs. There are
many different shapes and sizes of leaves, but they can be grouped into
two categories: simple, with just a single leaf blade
connected to the stem, or compound, with the leaf blade divided
into many parts before it attaches to the stem. |
4. Flowers
are not just pretty and perfumed; they contribute in many ways to the
survival of plants. The flower has both male and female parts, which
combine to pollinate the plant, forming seeds and fruits. The flower also
attracts pollinators, such as birds, bees and bats. The pollinators help
the growth and development of the seeds and fruits. |
5. Fruits
are the actually the ovary of the plant, where the seeds are carried and
protected. (Click picture to enlarge.)
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6. Every seed
is a tiny plant embryo, with leaves, stem, and roots, just waiting
around for the right conditions so that it can grow up into an adult
plant. (Click picture to enlarge.) ![]() |
| 1. Basic Needs |
2. Structures |
3. Life Cycle |
5. End Run |
Credits |