Transcript Functions of Plants Stems and Leaves

Functions of Plants
Stems and Leaves
A94-A97
Stems
• Stems:
– Hold the plant up
– Support the leaves
– Carry water and food
to other parts of the
plant
Stems
• Stems can be:
– Soft and green
– Flexible
– Stiff and woody
• Stems contain narrow tubes that carry water,
nutrients and food.
– Xylem – transport water and nutrients
– Phloem – transport food
Each year, trees produce a
new layer of xylem,
forming a growth ring.
Phloem forms the bark of a tree.
Leaves
• Leaves are the food factories for trees.
• They use water and nutrients from the soil,
carbon dioxide from the air, and energy
from sunlight to make food.
• The process is called photosynthesis.
Oxygen is produced which plants release
into the air.
Leaves
• Chlorophyll helps plants use light energy to
produce sugars.
• Chlorophyll gives leaves their green color.
• Inside a leaf are layers of cells called
chloroplasts. This is where the food-making
process occurs.
• Leaves have tiny holes called stomata. Carbon
dioxide enters the leaf, and oxygen and water
leave it.
• Leaves have veins which bring water and
nutrients to the chloroplasts and take sugars
from them.