Plant Parts and Their Jobs
Learning how roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits, and seeds help plants live
Plant Parts and Their Jobs
Learning how roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits, and seeds help plants live
Science - Grade 2-3
- 1
Name the plant part that usually grows underground and takes in water from the soil. Explain its job.
Think about the part of the plant you often cannot see because it is in the soil.
The roots usually grow underground. Roots take in water and nutrients from the soil and help hold the plant in place. - 2
A plant's stem is like a straw. What does the stem move through the plant?
The stem moves water and nutrients from the roots to the other parts of the plant. It also helps hold the plant up. - 3
Circle the plant part that makes food for the plant: roots, stem, leaves, flower.
This part is usually green and grows out from the stem.
The leaves make food for the plant. Leaves use sunlight, air, and water to help the plant make its food. - 4
Look at a flowering plant. What is the main job of the flower?
The main job of the flower is to help the plant make seeds. Flowers can also attract insects that help plants make seeds. - 5
A tomato grows on a plant and has seeds inside it. Which plant part is the tomato: a root, stem, leaf, flower, fruit, or seed? Explain.
Fruits often protect seeds.
The tomato is a fruit because it grows from a flower and has seeds inside it. - 6
Seeds can grow into new plants. What does a seed need to begin growing? Name two things.
A seed needs water and the right temperature to begin growing. Many seeds also need air and a good place to grow. - 7
Match each plant part to its job: roots, stem, leaves. Jobs: holds the plant up and carries water, takes in water from soil, makes food for the plant.
Think about where each part is on the plant and what it can do there.
Roots take in water from the soil. The stem holds the plant up and carries water. Leaves make food for the plant. - 8
A plant is wilting because it has not been watered. Which plant part takes in the water first?
The roots take in the water first. Then the stem can carry the water to the rest of the plant. - 9
Label the parts of a simple plant drawing: root, stem, leaf, flower. Then write one job for one part.
Start at the soil and work upward.
The roots are at the bottom, the stem is the tall middle part, the leaves grow from the stem, and the flower is at the top. One example job is that leaves make food for the plant. - 10
Why do many plants have fruits around their seeds?
Many plants have fruits around their seeds to protect the seeds. Fruits can also help seeds move to new places when animals eat them or carry them. - 11
A cactus has spines instead of wide leaves. Spines help protect the cactus and save water. What job do most leaves do on other plants?
Leaves are the plant parts that usually catch sunlight.
Most leaves make food for the plant. They use sunlight, air, and water to help the plant grow. - 12
Put these steps in order: A seed sprouts, a seed is planted in soil, the plant grows leaves, the adult plant makes flowers and seeds.
Begin with the seed before it starts growing.
First, a seed is planted in soil. Next, the seed sprouts. Then the plant grows leaves. Last, the adult plant makes flowers and seeds. - 13
Choose one plant part and describe how it helps the whole plant survive.
One possible answer is that roots help the whole plant survive by taking in water and nutrients from the soil and holding the plant in place. Other correct answers may describe the stem, leaves, flower, fruit, or seeds.