Science- Plants Part 2: Roots & Stem
Three main jobs of roots Support: Keeps the plant in the ground and helps hold up the plant Absorption: Take water and minerals from the soil Storage: Some roots can store food (carrots & potatoes)
Types of Roots – 2 major types of roots Fibrous Root A bunch of small roots that are about the same size
Types of Roots – 2 major types of roots Tap root Tap roots have one MAIN root with smaller roots that branch off of it
Inside of a root Ground Tissue
Root Hairs
Root Hairs Root hairs help the plant find water and bring water to the plant Water travels from the soil to the root hairs to the larger roots to the stem
Root Hairs
You can eat Roots????? Roots have been eaten for thousands of years Food / nutrients are stored in roots This is called STARCH Examples: carrots, potatoes, sweet potatoes, ginger, etc.
The Stem You can think of the stem as the HIGHWAY of the plant The stem connects the leaves and roots Water and nutrients move UP the stem to the leaves Glucose and nutrients move DOWN the stem to the roots
Types of Stems- 2 major types of Stems Herbaceous stem Soft Green Flexible Make a new stem each year
Types of Stems- 2 major types of Stems Woody stem Thick Not very flexible Grows wider each year
Xylem & Pholem Xylem and Pholem are special tubes that move the materials in a plant They are the highway of the plant
Xylem & Pholem Xylem Carries water and nutrients UP from the roots to the leaves
Xylem & Pholem Pholem Moves the nutrients and glucose (food for the plant) throughout the plant in ALL directions
Xylem & Pholem