Parts of a Plant Concept Map

Parts of a Plant

I.    Leaf

A leaf is made of many layers that are sandwiched between two layers of tough skin cells (called the epidermis). The epidermis also secretes a waxy substance called the cuticle. These layers protect the leaf from insects, bacteria, and other pests. The leaves are the powerhouses of the plants. Leaves are the major site of production of food and keep the plant alive. The leaves are what help to keep the photosynthesis process going.

A.  Simple Leaf

B.  Compound Leaf

 

1.   Pinnately and Twice Pinnately Compound Leaves

 

II.    Pollen

A.  Grass

B.  Goldenrod

C.  Pine

D.  Birch

III.    Stem

Stems do many things. They support the plant. They act like the plant's plumbing system, conducting water and nutrients from the roots and food in the form of glucose from the leaves to other plant parts. Stems can be herbaceous like the bendable stem of a daisy or woody like the trunk of an oak tree. The stem can also come in many different shapes and sizes and acts as a food storage site for the plant.

A.  Herbaceous Stems

B.  Ligneous Stems

IV.    Root

The root system of a plant constantly provides the stems and leaves with water and dissolved minerals.  In order to accomplish this the roots must grow into new regions of the soil.  The growth and metabolism of the plant root system is supported by the process of photosynthesis occurring in the leaves. Photosynthate from the leaves is transported via the phloem to the root system.   Root structure aids in this process.The roots have many purposes, but the most important is that it anchors and support plants.

A.  Tap Root System

B.  Fibrous Root System

V.    Seed

There are two types of seed plants: conifers--or cone bearing--and flowering. Both use seeds to disburse and propagate, meaning the seeds are used to distribute new plants to areas away from the parent plant. Seeds are the fully developed, fertilized ovules of the plant. The ovules contain the female gametophyte which is the structure containing the egg cell. Once the eggs are fertilized, the embryo of the plant develops and the ovule becomes a seed.

A.  Gymnosperms

B.  Angiosperm

VI.    Flower

Most flowers are located on the top of plants and are in a circular shape. Flowers are the main way of reproduction for a plant and how more flowers are made. Flowers can come in many shapes and sizes, but the flowers that come in bright colors get the attention of the insects who are the pollinators. They help a plant population in an area mix its properties enough to be ready to survive changes in the environment. Just like every other species, flowers can come in male and female as well.

A.  Petals

B.  Stigma

C.  Pistol