Plant Structures What are the functions of roots

Plant Structures What are the functions of roots, stems, and leaves? How do seeds become new plants? What are the structures of a flower?

Roots have three main functions Anchor Absorb water and minerals Sometimes store food

Types of roots Fibrous root systems consist of many roots that form a tangled mass Taproot systems have one long thick main root that other roots that branch off

Root structure The tip of the root is covered by the root cap Behind this are the cells that divide to form new root cells Root hairs grow out of the root’s surface

Root Structure continued… Vascular tissue runs up the center of the root Water and nutrients quickly move into the xylem Sugars are transported by the phloem back into the root

Stems The stem carries substances between the plant roots and leaves Stem also provides support and holds up leaves to obtain sunlight

Structure of a Stems can be either woody or herbaceous Stems contain phloem and xylem tissue as well as supporting cells

Once inside the bark The outer bark protects the cells inside Then there is a layer of phloem that transports food Next is a layer of cambium that makes new phloem and xylem

Deeper still… Inside the cambium is the Sapwood, which is active xylem In the center is the heartwood, inactive xylem that provides structure for the plant

Vocabulary flash cards Vascular tissue Xylem Phloem Cuticle gymnosperm Angiosperm Root cap Cambium Sapwood Heartwood