Plant Parts

Summary
An introduction to basic plant structure with terminology.

Objectives
• Students will be able to distinguish roots from shoots.

• Students will understand the function of roots.

• Students will compare fibrous roots with taproots.

• Students will compare and contrast the two types of vascular tissue found in stems.

• Students will identify the key process that occurs in leaves.

• Students will understand the purpose of stomata.

Suggested Grades
4th Grade
5th Grade
6th Grade

Excerpt
When you think about a body, you probably think of the human body or some other animal, but plants have bodies too. Plants have organs, which are composed of different tissues that are made up of different types of cells. Plants have underground organs called roots. Plants organs that are above ground make up the shoot system: stems and leaves.

Plant roots have an important job. They anchor the plant in the soil and absorb water and minerals that the plant needs to survive. Plants like grasses usually have a fibrous root system. If you pull up a clump of grass, you see a mat of thin roots that spread out below the soil surface. Other plants have a taproot system, which is made up of one large root that goes straight down into the ground and then has smaller branches off to the side. If you have ever tried to pull a dandelion out of your lawn, you know it can be tough.

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