Transcript Plant Part Functions

Plant Part Functions
A78-81
Vocabulary
dormancy-period of lower activity
 transpiration-giving off of water by
plant parts
 taproot-one main root growing deeply
into the soil, with smaller attached
roots
 fibrous roots-many roots of same
size, growing long but not deep
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Vocabulary (cont.)
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vascular plants- plants that have tubes
Main Leaf Types
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Needles: needle-shaped to prevent water
loss (evergreen, cacti)
Needles are not shed during fall and
winter
Broad leaves: wide and flat (oak, maple)
Broad leaves are shed during fall and
winter
Why do leaves “fall”?
In colder climates, broad leafed trees
shed their leaves in the fall.
 This is because there is less sunlight
available during fall and winter.
 Less sunlight means no
photosynthesis.
 No photosynthesis means no food.
 No food means leaves die and fall.
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Stems
Support plants
 Give them shape
 Contain tubes that carry water and
minerals from roots to all parts of the
plant
 Contain tubes that carry food (sugar)
from the leaves to all parts of the
plant
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Two Different Stem Types
 Soft
and flexible-small plants that
live only one growing season
 Stiff and woody (bark-covered)these stems grow thicker each
year, so these plants can live for
many years
What is the job of roots?
 Anchor
plants into the soil
 Take in water and nutrients
for photosynthesis
 Some roots actually store
food made by leaves
An Unusual Adaptation
Some plants living in poor soil adapt
by eating meat.
 Examples are the Venus Flytrap and
cobra lily.
 Insects are attracted to the plant
smell.
 They land and are trapped or fall into
liquid and drown, then are dissolved,
digested, and their skeletons blown
away by the wind.
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