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How to tell the difference between herbs, shrubs, and trees.The different parts of a plant and what they do.How to test a leaf for starch.What photosynthesis and transpiration are.The products we get from plants.
Where it is: Usually under the ground. It's the first part of the plant to grow from a seed.Types of Roots:Taproot: A thick, long main root that grows straight down. Smaller roots branch out from it. Examples: bean, mustard, mango, hibiscus.Fibrous Root: Many fine roots that spread out from the base of the stem. They don't grow very deep. Examples: rice, wheat, grass, coconut.Functions of the Root:Anchors the plant in the soil.Absorbs water and nutrients from the soil.Stores food (starch) in some plants. These are called storage roots. Examples: beetroots, carrots, radishes.Prevents soil erosion.
What it is: The part of the plant you can see above the ground.Parts of the Shoot: stem, leaves, flowers, and fruits.The Stem:Most stems grow above ground, but some grow underground.Trees have hard, woody trunks, while herbs have soft, green stems.Functions of the Stem:Supports the plant's branches, leaves, flowers, and fruits.Transports water, minerals, and food to different parts of the plant.Stores food in some plants. Examples: sugarcane, potato, ginger.Some stems (like cactus) are green and make food.SCIENCE BUZZ!: Ancient Egyptians used papyrus stems to make paper.
Identifying Plants: You can tell what kind of plant it is by the shape, size, and color of its leaves.What it is: Most leaves are flat and green. The green color comes from chlorophyll, which helps the plant make food.Parts of a Leaf:Leaf blade (lamina): The broad, flat part that absorbs sunlight.Midrib: The thick vein in the center of the leaf that supports it.Veins: A network of smaller veins that spread out from the midrib. They transport water, minerals, and food.Petiole: The thin stalk that connects the leaf to the stem.Stomata: Tiny openings on the lower surface of the leaf that let carbon dioxide in and oxygen and water vapor out.
Functions of a Leaf:Makes food for the plant (photosynthesis). It's called the 'food factory' of the plant.Stores extra food in some plants. Examples: spinach and cabbage.Exchanges gases (carbon dioxide and oxygen) through the stomata.Removes extra water from the plant (transpiration).How Leaves Make Food (Photosynthesis):What they need: Carbon dioxide, water, and sunlight.How it works:Leaves take in carbon dioxide from the air through the stomata.Roots absorb water from the soil and send it to the leaves.Chlorophyll traps the energy of sunlight.Plants use the sun's energy to turn carbon dioxide and water into glucose (a type of carbohydrate) and oxygen.The plant uses some glucose for energy and stores the rest as starch.Oxygen is released into the air through the stomata.Photosynthesis Definition: The process where leaves use sunlight to convert water and carbon dioxide into food.What happens without sunlight?: Plants become weak, and their leaves turn yellow because they can't make food. The same thing happens if they don't have carbon dioxide or chlorophyll.
What it is: The process where plants give off water vapor from their leaves.How it works: Water is absorbed by the roots and travels to the leaves. Plants only use some of this water. The rest evaporates through the stomata.Why it's important: Transpiration helps keep the plant cool. It also adds water vapor to the air, which is important for the water cycle.
Food: We eat roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits, and seeds from plants. Examples: root vegetables, spinach, cabbage, potatoes, cauliflowers, wheat, rice, peas, beans. Tea, coffee, sugar, cooking oils, nuts, and spices also come from plants.Fibres: We get fibres like cotton, jute, and flax from plants to make cloth, bags, ropes, and carpets.Wood: We use wood from trees to make paper, furniture, and houses. Examples: teak, sheesham, mahogany, and oak. Bamboo is used for construction and to make paper, baskets, mats, and furniture.Dyes: We get natural dyes from plants like indigo and henna.Medicines: Many medicines come from plants like aloe vera, turmeric, ginger, tulsi, and neem. Quinine, used to treat malaria, comes from the Cinchona tree.Oils and Cosmetics: Oils from plants like coconut, olive, and almond are used in shampoos, lotions, and soaps. Flowers are used to make perfumes.Rubber: We get rubber from the rubber tree to make tyres, tubes, pipes, and gloves.
Banana Plant:Raw banana: cooked and eatenRipe banana: eaten as a fruitBanana leaves: used as platesFibres from stems: used for making useful thingsCoconut Plant:Coconut fruit: used in cookingCoir fibre: used to make ropesOil: used in cookingLeaves: used to make roofs
Chlorophyll: The green stuff in plants that traps the sun's energy.Photosynthesis: How plants make food using sunlight.Transpiration: How plants release water vapor.
Self Study
What You Will Learn
Overview
Plants are very important for life on Earth. They give us food and so much more. Most plants have roots, stems, and leaves, and each part does a special job.
Parts of a Plant and Their Functions
1. The Root
2. The Shoot
3. The Leaf
4. Transpiration
5. Products Obtained From Plants
Traditional methods of oil and perfume production
6. Uses of Specific Plants
Key Words
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