Transcript Chapter One Plants and How They Grow

How do the different parts of a
plant help it live and grow?
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system- a set of parts that interact with one another
deciduous- loses its leaves in the fall and grows new ones
in the spring
pollinate- move pollen from the part of a flower that
makes pollen
coniferous- does not lose its needle-like leaves in the fall
seed leaf- part of a seed that has stored food
germinate- begins to grow
seedling- a new, small plant that grows from a seed
Knowing how to compare and contrast can
help you understand what you read and the
things you observe.
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We compare when we say how things are alike.
We contrast when we say how things are different.
Words and phrases such as similar, like, all, both, or
in the same way are used to compare.
Words and phrases such as unlike or in a different
way are used to contrast.
Let’s try this reading skill by looking at a science
article about plants and animals.
Both plants and animals are
living things that need food, air,
water, and space to live. Unlike
most plants, most animals don’t
stay in the same place. They
move around. Unlike animals,
most plants have roots that
keep them in the same place.
What is alike?
What is different?
Let’s apply the skill. Make a
Venn Diagram and use the
information above from the
science article to fill it in.
It’s a cool spring day and you
are walking along a river in
Alaska. Tall trees rise above
the river. Why do some have
flat, broad leaves, while
others have sharp needles?
Lots of other kinds of plants
are growing here too. Even
though they may look
different, every plant needs
the same things to live and
grow. Listen. You hear a
splash. An Alaskan brown bear
bounds out of the trees into
the river. The bear needs
certain things too.
Most plants have four main parts. These parts are leaves,
roots, stems, and flowers. In different kinds of plants,
these parts may look similar. They may also look very
different.
What All Living Things Need
• food
• air
• water
• space
A plant’s leaves make up its leaf system. A system
consists of parts that work together. This leaf system
makes food for the plant. Here’s how:
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Water enters the leaf from the roots and stem
Carbon dioxide enters the leaf through tiny
holes on its underside
The leaves make sugar for food that passes
through the stems to the rest of the plant
Plants make and let out oxygen gas when they make sugar
Plants need energy from the Sun to change carbon dioxide and
water into sugar and oxygen
 Some
trees have leaves that
look like needles
A
pecan tree leaf is made up
of many smaller leaflets that
grow across from each other
 This
oak leaf is more like the
pecan leaves than the
needle-like leaves.
Leaves help plants to balance the amount of water
plants take in. If there is too much water in the
plant, leaves will let some water out through the tiny
holes on their underside.
Plants in dry places may have leaves with waxy or
fuzzy coatings to help keep water in.
A plant’s leaves may also help to protect the plant
from being eaten. Leaves might be poisonous, sharp,
or tough to chew.
1. List the main parts of most plants.
2. How does a leaf help a plant live?
Scientist’s Journal
Compare and Contrast- Describe
ways that leaves are alike and
different. Use a graphic organizer.
Journal Entry- Let’s pretend we’re
botanists for the day. We will
research a native plant, make
drawings, and write a description.
Along with their leaves, plants need their root and stem
systems to live and grow.
Cool Fact: The deepest root system ever recorded is that
of a wild fig tree in South Africa. The roots of the tree
extended 120 meters (393.7 feet) below the surface!
A plant’s root system:
• takes in water and minerals
• holds the plant in place
• stores food the plant makes
A taproot is a large root that stores food.
 At
the tips of roots are tiny root hairs. Plants
take in water through their root hairs.
 Root
branches with their many root hairs
grow far into the soil to reach water.
 Water travels through tubes to the plant’s
stems and leaves.
A plant’s stem system:
• supports the plant’s leaves, flowers, and
fruits
• have tubes that move water and minerals
from the roots of plants to leaves
Stolons are thin and grow along the
surface of the ground.
 Tree trunks serve as stems.
 Vines grow parts that wrap around
objects that support the plant.
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Cactus stems swell up as they
store water and shrink as they
use water. They also have a thick,
waxy covering to keep them from losing water.
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1. How do stems help a plant?
2. How are roots and stems alike and
different?
Scientist’s Journal
Write a paragraph that describes
the special features of a cactus.
Explain how these features help the
cactus.
Find examples of different kinds of
plant stems. Make a collage.
Most plants make seeds that grow into new plants.
Sometimes a stem or root grows a new plant. When seeds
scatter, they are moved away and have room to grow.
Ways That Seeds Scatter
Wind
Water
Carried by
Animals
Eaten by
Animals
Wind scatters seeds that have
parachutes or wings.
Water scatters seeds that float, such
as coconuts.
Animals scatter seeds that can stick to
fur.
Animals scatter seeds when they eat
fruit.
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Seeds come in many different shapes, sizes, and colors.
But they all have the same parts.
Stored food
seed coat
embryo
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Seeds need certain things to start to grow, or germinate.
They need the right temperature, the right amount of
water, and air. When conditions are right, a seedling begins
to grow.
1. Seeds in Fruit
The part of a peanut
you eat is a seed.
4. Adult Plant with Seeds
Adult flower stalks grow
downward. The peanut
flowers make their seeds
underground. When the
adult plant dies, it becomes
part of the soil.
2. Germinating Seeds
When a peanut
germinates, a stem
grows upward and a
root grows downward.
3. Seedling
As the small peanut plant
grows leaves, it can begin
making sugar for food.
1. What are the parts of a seed?
2. Describe the life cycle of a plant.
Scientist’s Journal
George Washington Carver was an
agricultural researcher who studied
how to use many different types of
plants, including peanuts. Research
and write a short report about some
of the product Carver made from
plants.
 Trees
that lose their leaves are
deciduous.
 Coniferous
trees do not lose all their leaves
in the fall. These leaves look like needles or
brushes.
Flowering plants grow flowers that make seeds. Flowers
have parts that make pollen or seeds. Animals or wind
pollinate a flower when they move pollen to the flower
part that make seeds.
After a flower is pollinated, seeds form near the center of
the flower. A fruit often grows to surround and protect the
seeds.
Pollen sticks to the bodies
of bees as bees look for
food. They carry this
pollen to the part of the
flower that makes seeds.
The tip of this part
of the flower
makes pollen
A flower’s petals
attract insects
and other animals
Pollen put on the tip
of this part helps form
seeds down here
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Coniferous trees make two kinds of cones: small pollen
cones and large seed cones. When pollen attaches to the
seed cone, seeds begin to grow. A seed grows under each
scale of the seed cone. When the seeds are ripe, they fall
to the ground. If conditions are right, each seed can start
growing into a new plant.
Larger cones
grow with
seeds inside.
Coniferous
seeds glide
to the
ground.
Wind blows pollen from these
small cones to larger cones to
larger cones on other trees.
1. What are two ways to group plants?
2. Describe two kinds of plant parts
that can make seeds.
Scientist’s Journal
Write a paragraph that explains at
least 3 different ways flowers can
be pollinated. Illustrate and label.