Parts of Plants Concept Map

Parts of Plants 

I.       Stems

The stem's functions are to support the buds and leaves and to move water and nutrients from the roots to the rest of the plants. Stems can be either woody or herbaceous. Woody means it is made of wood and herbaceous means the stem has little or no woody tissue. Different examples of stems are tree trunks and celery.

A.    Transports water to the rest of the plant

B.    Support the leaves

II.     Roots

The roots of a plant have two main functions. The first is to soak up water and nutrients from the soil. The roots also serve the purpose of anchoring the plant in the soil. There are two types of roots: fibrous and taproots. Fibrous roots are thin threadlike roots that usually do not penetrate the soil very deeply. Taproots are thick and grow deeper into the soil. Some examples of taproots we eat are carrots, radishes, and beets.

A.    Provide stability for the plant

B.    Soak up water

III.    Leaves      

The leaves of a plant soak up sunlight to use in photosynthesis. The surface of the leaf is usually flattened to provide a large surface area to soak up sunlight. Leaves can be a variety of different sizes, colors, and have different textures. The leaves also store water and signify growth nodes.

A.    Soaks up sunlight

B.    Have a large surface area in order to 

IV.    Flowers

The flower is the reproductive part of the plant. When they are pollinated, all flowers produce fruit. Some fruit we eat, like apples and oranges, other fruit we do not. For example, the entire middle part of a Sunflower is its fruit. The fruit produces seeds which produce new plants after they germinate and the plant life cycle starts over.

A.    Reproductive part of the plant.

1.    Flowers produce seeds and the plant's life cycle starts over.

B.    Usually have pleasant fragrance and colors to attract pollinators.

1.    Common pollinators are bees, hummingbirds, and other insects.

V.     Seeds

A seed contains all of the genetic information needed to begin a new plant. In order to grow, a seed needs to be germinated meaning that the seed goes from a dormant state to a growing state. Germination occurs when a seed soaks up water and the temperature is favorable. After the seed germinates, it grows into a new plant that will eventually produce it's own seeds.

A.    Are grown inside the "fruit" of the plant.

B.    Grow into new plants when given the proper amounts of water, sunlight, and soil