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Functions of Plant Parts
Functions of Roots:
1. To take in oxygen
during respiration.
2. To give off carbon
dioxide during
respiration.
3. To store food in the form
of starch (like the
taproot of a carrot).
4. To anchor the plant and
keep it in a stable
position.
5. To absorb and tranport water and
nutrients to the stem via the root
hairs.
6. In legumes, such as clover, the roots
play an important role in the
nitrogen fixation process.
( Bacteria live in the root nodules
and work to “fix” nitrogen for the
plant).
Functions of Leaves:
1. Inportant for
photosynthesis (the process
by which plants produce
their food).
2. Aid in the process of
transpiration (water loss
through leaves) which is
necessary in order for
plants to cool themselves.
3. Leaves can make some food which
can later be stored in other
areas of the plant. (Potato)
4. Sometimes, leaves
can be used in asexual
or vegetative
propagation.
(cuttings)
Functions of Stems:
1. Move nutrients from the roots to the
leaves in the vessels of the xylem and
phloem.
2. Supports the leaves
of the plant as well
as the fruit and
flowers.
3. In some plants, stems function as a
source of food storage for the plant.
Tuber
Rhizome
(Asparagus)
(Potato)
Bulb
(Tulip)
4. Primary plant growth occurs in the
tip of the stem (the terminal bud).
5. Stems can often be used
for vegetative propagation.
Functions of Fruit:
1. Protect the seeds inside
the ripened ovule (fruit).
2. Provide nutrients to the soil and
to a newly germinated seedling.
3. Aid in the spreading of seed by
providing food for animals.
Animals eat the fruit and seeds. After the
fruit is digested, the seeds pass out in the
animal’s faeces at another location.
4. Some plants have dry, dehiscent fruits
which split open to spread seeds.
Functions of Flowers:
1. Needed for plant
reproduction.
2. Pollination of the
flower leads to the
fertilization of the
ovules.
3. The colourful
and / or
fragrant nature
of the flower
attracts insects
and birds that
aid in the
pollination
process.
4. The flower can also serve as an
animal trap. Once the insect is
trapped, it can be digested by the
plant for food.
(Venus Fly Trap)
THE END