Parts of a Plant Lesson

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Parts of a Plant

Plants are living things that grow almost everywhere on Earth — in deserts, in rainforests, in ponds, and even in the cracks of sidewalks. All plants are made up of several key parts, and each part has a specific job that helps the plant survive.

The roots are usually found underground. They anchor the plant in the soil and absorb water and minerals that the plant needs to grow. Some roots, like those of a carrot or radish, also store food for the plant.

The stem connects the roots to the rest of the plant. It acts like a highway, moving water and nutrients from the roots up to the leaves and flowers. The stem also holds the plant upright so the leaves can get sunlight.

The leaves are the plant’s food-making factories. Through a process called photosynthesis, leaves use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide from the air to produce sugar — the plant’s food. Leaves release oxygen as a byproduct, which is what we breathe.

The flower is the reproductive part of a plant. Flowers attract insects and birds that carry pollen from one flower to another, a process called pollination. After pollination, a flower can develop into a fruit containing seeds.

Seeds contain a tiny new plant waiting to grow. When a seed lands in soil with enough water and sunlight, it germinates — it sprouts and begins to grow into a new plant. The cycle then starts all over again.

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