Plants

What do plants need to grow?

Soil (nutrients)

Water

Air (carbon dioxide)

Light

Space to grow

Four main plant

parts

1. Leaves

2. Roots

3. Stems

4. Flowers (eventually turn into

seeds)

Flower parts

You must know petal, pistil, and

stamen.

You must also know that the pollen

is located at the top of the stamen

and that seeds form at the base

(bottom) of the pistil.

The flower plays an important role

in the reproduction of the plant.

Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis – the process by which plants make their

own food

What does the process of photosynthesis involve?

It involves the leaves using energy from sunlight to

convert water and carbon dioxide into sugar (glucose)

and oxygen. The plant releases the oxygen, but uses

the sugar for food.

How do leaves help

plants?

Make food through

photosynthesis

Water balance (either let water

out or keep water in)

Protection

How do roots help plants?

Hold the plant in place.

Take in water and

nutrients from the soil.

Some types of roots, such

as taproots, hold food for

the plant.

Types of roots

Taproots are large roots

that grow deep in the soil

and store food for a plant.

Examples of taproots are

carrots and dandelions.

Fibrous roots look more

tangled and grow far into

the soil to reach water.

Most grasses have

fibrous roots.

How do stems help plants?

Support the plant

Transport (carry) food and water

Some help with survival

Examples – those with thorns and spines

Example of edible stems – celery, rhubarb

Grouping plants(Plants can be grouped by the kinds of parts they have).

Flowering plants

Includes deciduous trees that lose their leaves in autumn and grow new ones in

spring.

Grow seeds

When flowers get pollinated by things such as insects, birds, and wind, seeds form near

the center of the flower. A fruit often forms around the seeds to protect the seeds.

Coniferous trees

Grow cones instead of flowers. Seeds are stored in the cones.

Most do not lose their leaves in autumn.

Their leaves usually look like needles.

How do new plants grow?

By scattering seeds:

By wind

By water

By fire

some types of pine cones need to be heated via forest fire to release seeds

Carried by animals on their fur or other body parts

Eaten and excreted by animals

By growing from a root or stem

Life cycle of a plant that grows from a

seed: Seed from a fruit gets

planted in soil on purpose or accidentally.

The seed germinates(starts to grow).

Seedling with small leaves appear and begin making food.

The seedling grows into a mature plant that produces new seeds.

Seed parts

Seed coat (protects)

Embryo (tiny new

plant)

Endosperm (food

store)

Plant fossils Plant fossils are imprints of

plants that lived long ago.

They form when the plant

dies and gets pressed in the

mud. The mud hardens into

rock and then cracks to

expose the fossil.

Fossils help us study plants

that are extinct (no longer

live).