Plant Adaptations

Roots The purpose of the roots is to hold the plant in the ground and to draw water from the soil.

Why do trees have strong roots?

Would an adult tree be able to survive with roots like the ones below?

Why do cacti have shallow roots?

Water lilies have long roots. Why do water lilies have long roots?

What is the purpose of the dandelion’s large thick root?

Stems The purposes of the stem are to keep the plant upright and bending toward the sun, and to move water throughout the plant. Some stems also provide protection for the plant.

Vines have stems that can climb up the house Vines have stems that can climb up the house. Why are the vines climbing the house?

Why do trees have strong stems?

Cacti have thick stems that store water when the habitat does not provide it.

What would happen if cacti had thin stems? Cause Effect If cacti had thin stems…

Why do some stems have thorns?

Leaves The purpose of leaves is to produce food for the plants. The leaves absorb the light for the sun. Leaves come in all different sizes, textures, thicknesses, and shapes.

Why do water lilies have wide leaves?

Evergreen trees have leaves that are thin waxy needles to protect them from freezing and losing water.

Flowers The purpose of flowers is to attract organisms, such as birds and insects, for pollination. Pollination is the spreading of pollen from one flower to another. Flowers come in different sizes, colors, and smells.

Why do plants produce different types of flowers?

Fruit The purpose of the fruit is to protect the seeds. Not all plants grow fruits. Some plants grow cones that protect the seeds.

Some fruits are moist and fleshy Some fruits are moist and fleshy. Fleshy fruits attract animals that eat them helping to disperse the seeds.

Some fruits are dry and/or hard.

Seeds The purpose of seeds is to grow new plants. Some seeds begin to grow as soon as conditions allow for germination. Seeds have adaptations that allow them to be dispersed and also to have enough food for the plant until it begins to make its own food.

Seeds grow into new plants.

Inside a Seed

Why do seeds need water in order to germinate?

Seed Dispersal