Parts of the Plant and Their

Function
Unit 3
 The Importance of Plants
• Primary source of food
• Produce Oxygen
• Renew and cool the air, slow high winds,
hold soil/prevent erosion, building
materials and aesthetics.
 4 Basic Parts of a Plant
• Leaves
• Stems
• Roots
• Flowers
 Other Terms
• Petiole- leaf stalk of a plant.
• Epidermis- single layer of cells which
protect the leaf from loss of too much
moisture.
• Transpiration- when plants give off
moisture and exchange gases such as
oxygen and carbon dioxide.
• Respiration- consumption of oxygen and
giving off carbon dioxide.
 Internal Leaf Structure Terms
• Chloroplasts- small green particles
containing chlorophyll found in leaves.
• Chlorophyll- green substance found in
plants which gives color and necessary for
photosynthesis.
 How Photosynthesis Occurs
• Photosynthesis- process by which Carbon
Dioxide and Water in the presence of light
are converted to Sugar and Oxygen.
 Chemical Equation for
Photosynthesis
• 6 CO2 + 6H20 + 672kcal= C6H12O6 + 6O2
• Carbon dioxide + water + light energy = Sugar + Oxygen
 2 Main Functions of Stems
• Movement of water and minerals from
roots upward to the leaves and the
movement of manufactured food from the
leaves down to the roots.
• Support leaves and reproductive
structures.
 Other Plant Terms
• Xylem- transports water and nutrients from
the roots to the stem and leaves.

• Phloem- transports food from leaves

through the stem to the roots.
 More Terms
• Cambium- produces all new cells.
• Monocot- have only one cotyledon (seed
leaf).
• Dicot- plants having two seed leaves.
• Cotyledon- first leaves to appear on a
plant.
 Main Functions of the Roots
• Anchor plant and hold it upright.
• Absorb water and minerals from the soil.
• Store large quantities of plant food.
• Propagate or reproduce some plants.
• Root cap- continuously produces all new
cells as it pushes its way through the soil.
• Root hairs- absorbs moisture and minerals
which are conducted to the larger roots
and to the stem of the plant.
Fibrous Root System vs. Tap Root
System
• Figure 3.11 Those plants with fibrous root
systems consist of many smaller roots
spread out over the soil profile.
• Those plants with tap roots stand a greater
chance of damage as a result of
transplanting.
 How are seeds produced?
• ANSWER- through a sexual process with
a male and female parent involved.
• Complete flower- has both male and
female parts.
• Figure 3.12 (Parts of a complete flower)
• Draw and list parts
4 Main Parts of a Complete Flower
• 1 Sepal
• 2 Petal
• 3 Pistil
• 4 Stamen
 Definitions
• Sepals- the green leaf like parts of the
flower that cover and protect the flower
bud before it opens.
• Petals- act to attract insects for pollination.
• Stamen- male reproductive part of flower.
a. Filament- short stalk of stamen.
b. Anther- contains pollen (male sex cell).
 Female Parts of a Flower
• Pistil- female part of flower.
a. Ovule- female sex seed or egg.
b. Stigma- catches pollen.
c. Style- tube that leads to ovary.
d. Ovary- egg cell develops in ovary. After
fertilization, the ovary grows to become a
fruit or seed.
 Incomplete Flowers
• Those that have only the male or female
reproductive parts, not both.