Learning Objectives
- Identify different parts of a plant: root, stem, leaf, flower, and fruit
- Understand the uses of plants in our daily life
- Learn how plants grow from seeds
- Appreciate the importance of trees and plants
Key Concepts
Parts of a Plant
Every plant has important parts. The root grows underground and holds the plant in the soil. It also absorbs water. The stem stands above the ground and carries water from the roots to the leaves. Leaves are usually green and make food for the plant using sunlight. Flowers are the colourful parts that later become fruits. Fruits contain seeds that grow into new plants.
Types of Plants
Plants come in many sizes. Big plants with thick, strong stems are called trees, like neem, mango, and banyan trees. Medium-sized plants with thin but hard stems are called shrubs, like rose and hibiscus plants. Small plants with soft stems are called herbs, like mint and coriander. Climbers are plants that need support to grow upward, like money plant and pea plant.
Uses of Plants
Plants give us so many things! We eat fruits, vegetables, and grains from plants. We get wood from trees to make furniture and build houses. Cotton from the cotton plant is used to make clothes. Many medicines come from plants. Plants also give us fresh air to breathe. We should take care of plants and grow more trees!
Growing a Plant
Plants grow from seeds. When you put a seed in soil and give it water, it starts to grow. First, a tiny root comes out, then a small shoot appears above the soil. The shoot grows leaves and becomes a small plant. With sunlight, water, and air, the plant grows bigger and bigger. You can grow your own plant at home!
Important Terms
- Root: The part of a plant that grows underground and absorbs water
- Stem: The part that supports the plant and carries water to the leaves
- Leaf: The green part of a plant that makes food using sunlight
- Flower: The colourful part of a plant that becomes a fruit
- Seed: The part inside a fruit from which a new plant grows
- Tree: A big plant with a thick, strong, woody stem
Quick Revision
- Parts of a plant: root, stem, leaf, flower, fruit, seed
- Trees have thick stems, shrubs have thin woody stems, herbs have soft stems
- Plants give us food, wood, clothes, medicine, and fresh air
- Seeds grow into new plants when they get water, soil, and sunlight
- We should plant more trees and take care of plants