Form 1 Science

Lecture 10
TOPIC: PARTS OF A PLANT

Just as people have tissues and organs, plants also have specialized tissues and
structures. The tissues and structures make up two broad systems: the shoot system
and the root system. The shoot system is made up primarily of leaves, stems, and
reproductive structures (e.g., flowers, fruit, seeds, etc.) and the root system is made
up of roots. Each of these structures has characteristics that help it to carry out its
major function.
THE SHOOT SYSTEM

The Stem

The stem is strong and helps hold the plant up. It also lets water and nutrients flow
up to the leaves. Some examples of stems we eat are celery, asparagus, and sugar
cane.

A typical plant stem consists of seven distinct parts, containing six elements and two
organs. The six elements are: 1) nodes, 2) internodes, 3) terminal or apical bud,
4) lateral or axillary bud, and 5) petiole. While the two organs are: 6) leaves and
7) flowers.

a) Nodes
Functions
- Helping the plant to form buds, leaves, and branching twigs
- Helping plants to heal from injury.
- Providing additional structural support to the plant
- Reproducing new plant parts or even a complete plant by the process of
stem cutting, like rose, salvia, dahlia, boxwood, etc.

b) Internodes
Internodes are widely spaced between the nodes in most plants.
Functions
- Carries and distributes food, water, and minerals from one node to
another.
- Providing height to the plant.
c) Terminal or shooting bud
It is the small extension found at the tip of the plant. Terminal buds are
always in a state of division, thus contributing directly to the growth of the
plant.
Functions
- Acting as the primary growing point in the stem
- Producing growth hormones that inhibit the growth of other buds in the
stem, thus helping the plant to grow vertically upwards

d) Lateral or axillary bud

It is the small bud that develops from the region between the stem and a
leaf called axil. Lateral buds later give rise to a new stem.
Functions
- Helping the plant to develop its lateral branches and leaves, the
vegetative parts of a plant
- Helping the plant to develop flowers (the reproductive part of a plant)

e) Petiole
The thin stalk of the leaf that connects the leaf to the node of the stem is
called a petiole.
Functions
- Attaching the leaf to the stem and thus providing strength and support
to the leaf
- Transporting water and minerals from the stem to enter the leaf.
f) Leaves
They are the thin, flat organ of a plant that is generally green in color.
Functions
- Helping plants to produce food with the help of sunlight, carbon dioxide
and water by a process called photosynthesis
- Helping the plant to cool down by losing water in the form of water
vapor by a process known as transpiration
- Helping in exchange of gases like oxygen and carbon dioxide in plants

g) Flowers
They are the most colorful and attractive organ of a plant which varies
widely in shape and size with every plant species.
Functions
- Helping in the sexual reproduction of plants
- Attracting pollinators like bees and other animals that help to transfer
pollen grains from the male to the female reproductive part of the
flower, a process known as pollination.

The Fruit

Fruits are the part of plants that protect seeds (which contains the embryo – new
plant) and helps the seed get moved from place to place by an animal. Animals like
to eat fruit because most of them taste sweet.
THE ROOT SYSTEM

Roots absorb water and minerals from the soil and hold the plant in the ground so
it does not fall over. Some examples of roots we eat are potatoes, carrots and beets.

There are 5 main functions of roots:

 To anchor the plant in the ground

 To take in water and minerals
 To bring water and minerals up the stems (xylem)
 To bring dissolved food from the stems to the roots (phloem)
 To store food.

a) Root Cap
- Protects the root as it forces its way through the soil.
- As the root grows it secretes a slippery substance to lubricate the soil.
b) Root Hair
- To absorb water and mineral salts from the soil.
- Also helps to anchor plant in the soil.
c) Root Tip
- Region of growth of the root.
d) Primary Root
- Thickest part of the root system and grows downwards.
- Emerges from the seed’s embryo.
e) Lateral Root
- Not as thick as the primary root and grows out of the sides of the
primary root.
- Enhance anchoring of plant in the soil.
ACTIVITY