Identifying stems

Parts of a plant

What is a stem’s job?

A stem supports the leaves and flowers

What is a stem’s job?

A stem supports the leaves and flowers

What is a stem’s job?

A stem keeps water and nutrients from the leaves and flowers

What is a stem’s job?

What is a stem’s job?

Some plants store water and nutrients in their stems.

What is a stem’s job?

Some plants store water and nutrients in their stems.

What is a stem’s job?

This cactus does not have a stem with a job to do.

What is a stem’s job?

This cactus does not have a stem.

What is a stem’s job?

Some stems have thorns to help protect the plants from hungry animals.

What is a stem’s job?

Some plants store water and nutrients in their stems.

Important Jobs

Delivers water from the roots

sunlight

support

Carries nutrients to the leaves and flowers

protection

To keep the plant warm

Offers shelter

Stems we eat

Stems we eat

Stems we eat

Stems we eat

Parts of a stem

The place where a leaf, twig, or root comesout of a stem is called a node. There are usually many nodes on a stem.

One or more leaves grow from each node.When a leaf drops off a plant, it leaves amark called a scar on the stem.

Buds grow from the nodes on a stem. A bud is ashoot that is ready to grow into a leaf or flower.

ActivityHow does water travel through a plant?

Write/explain in your own words how water travels through a plant.

Next:Adult Role - Use a knife to cut the stem of a white carnation at a 45° angle

Student Role - fill a glass jar with water and add 20 drops of food dye to the water. Stir until the dye is dissolved.

Predict what will happen to the carnation when placed in the colored water.Explain your prediction – why do you think this?Make an early observation before going home today

Tomorrow we will continue this activity in class

GlossaryStem – supports the leaves and flowers and carries water and nutrients from the roots to the leaves and flowers, or stores the water and nutrients until needed

Node –The place where a leaf, twig, or root comes out of a stem

Bud – A bud is a shoot that is ready to grow into a leaf or flower

Cutting – a part of a plant’s stem can be cut off and planted to grow a new plant

Thorns – offer protection and keep animals away from eating the plants

Trunk – single, thick, wood tree stem supports, carries water and nutrients to leaves and stores water and nutrients until needed