The main parts of the plants are the root, the stem, the leaf, the flower and the fruit. They can be classified in the aerial parts and in the underground parts.
The aerial parts, those that are on the earth, are the stem, the leaf, the flower and the fruit. For its part, the main subterranean structure of the plant is the root.
Each of these components performs a task that allows the correct functioning of the plant organism.
For example, the leaves intervene in the photosynthesis processes , perspiration and in some cases reproduction. For its part, the stem offers support to the vegetable, participates in the transport of substances and in the reproduction.
From this it is understood that the components of a plant can perform more than one function at a time. Hence the importance of each of these structures.
List of parts of the plant with their functions
The plants are composed of a series of areas and underground structures. Aerial structures are those that grow above the Earth's surface, such as stem , leaves, flowers and fruits.
For their part, underground structures are those that undergo negative growth, ie, extend in the opposite direction to the stem and enter the subsoil.
1- Stem
The stem is the part of the plant that along with the branches and leaves, grows on the surface of the earth.
The main functions of this structure are the mechanical support and the transport of substances.
Mechanical support
The most evident function of the stem is to offer support to the other aerial structures of the plant (leaves, flowers, fruits). To guarantee the efficient fulfillment of this function, the stem has a series of mechanical fabrics.
There are two types of tissues that fulfill this function: the colénquima and the esclerénquima. Colenchyma is a living tissue capable of continuing to grow.
Sclerenchyma is a tissue composed of dead cells. It is much more rigid than the anterior tissue and is usually found in the trunks of trees.
Transport of substances
Through the stem, the substances are transported from the root to the leaves and vice versa. The conductive tissues of the plant are the ones that allow this function to be carried out.
He xylem and phloem are the two conductive tissues present in the upper plants. The xylem is responsible for conducting the raw sap (water and minerals) from the root to the leaves. It is formed by dead tissue and is woody.
The phloem is responsible for transporting the processed sap (substance processed during photosynthesis). Unlike the xylem, transport through the phloem can be bidirectional.
Other stem functions
The stem can also fulfill the function of storage of nutrients of the plant. In addition, some plant organisms can reproduce asexually from a stem stem.
2- Root
The root is the part of the plant that grows under the ground. It consists of four parts: the coping, the piliferous zone, the branch area and the bare area. The cap is the structure that covers the tip of the root and protects it. The pylorus zone is made up of fine hairs.
The branching zone is one of the thickest parts of the root, from which secondary roots emerge. Finally, the bare area is the part of the root that attaches to the stem.
The functions of the root are the absorption of substances necessary for the plant, support and warehouse.
Substance Absorption
The main function of a plant root is to absorb nutrients, water and mineral salts that are found in the soil. This is achieved thanks to the absorbent hairs of the pyloric zone.
Support
The root acts as an anchor, since it fixes the plant in the subsoil. In addition, the bare area offers support for the stem.
Warehouse
In some vegetables, the roots function as a storehouse of nutrients. When these substances accumulate, the roots increase in size.
If the increase occurs in the main root, then it will be spoken of napiforme root (for example, turnip). If the increase occurs in a secondary root, it will be a tuberous root (like the potato).
3- Leaf
The leaves are structures that are found at the ends of the stem branches. These contain chloroplasts , which are components that make photosynthesis possible.
The main functions of leaves are photosynthesis, transpiration and gas exchange.
Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis is the process that allows plants to create their own food. This is due to a green pigment called chlorophyll, which is found in chloroplasts.
Perspiration
Through the stomata present in the leaves, plants can remove excess water.
Exchange gaseous
The leaf is the main organ that intervenes in the gas exchange between the plant and the environment. Through these structures, the plant absorbs carbon dioxide necessary for photosynthesis and expels oxygen.
4- Flower
Flowers are structures that grow on one end of the stem or on a branch of it. It constitutes the reproductive organ of the plant, reason why its main function is to participate in the sexual reproduction.
There are two types of flowers: unisexual and bisexual. The unisexuals have reproductive structures of a single sex (as happens in the pines), whereas the bisexuals have structures of both sexes (as in the willows).
5- Fruit
The fruit is the product of fertilization in plants. It is formed by a seed covered by a wrapping that can vary in shape and dimensions according to the plant.
This structure plays the role of seed dispersal. In this way, the plant can guarantee the continuity of the species. In addition to this, fruits represent a way of storing nutrients.
References
- Biology of Plants: Plant Parts. Retrieved on October 12, 2017, from mbgnet.net
- Biology Of Plants: Parts Of Plants And Their Functions. Retrieved on October 12, 2017, from byjus.com
- Functions of Plant Parts. Retrieved on October 12, 2017, from qldscienceteachers.com
- Parts of a Plant. Retrieved on October 12, 2017, from dkfindout.com
- Parts of a Plant for Kids. Retrieved on October 12, 2017, from tutorvista.com
- Plant Parts and Their Functions. Retrieved on October 12, 2017, from pmfias.com
- Vascular Tissue: Xylem and Phloem. Retrieved on October 12, 2017, from boundless.com