What parts does the plant consist of and what functions do they perform?

In the nature surrounding us, there is a great variety of plants that form a whole kingdom. Scientists-botanists suggest that there are more than 350 thousand species on Earth! And if we also calculate the unknown to science, annually discovered as a result of research, then even more. But despite such species and external diversity, all the green inhabitants of the planet have a common structure. What parts does the plant consist of? The answer to this question can be learned by comparing among themselves different representatives of terrestrial and marine vegetation.

What parts does the plant consist of?

Take any grassy representative of the flora, for example - a violet. What parts does a plant of this type consist of? Firstly, it is a soft stem. Many herbs are annual, that is, after the loss of seeds, the plant dies (in the first place, the stem withers). Another type - shrubs, for example, take a dogrose. Instead of a stem in such a plant - a few trunks that are much harder than those of grassy. The third type of plants are trees, for example, oak. It has one solid and large trunk (sometimes branched), covered with bark. In all other respects, all types of plants converge in structure.

What parts does the plant have?

We list them in order:

• root;
• Stalk (or trunk, or several trunks);
• leaves;
• Flowers;
• fruit.

Let's take a closer look at the parts of the plant, in more detail.

Root

What is the root for each representative of the Earth's flora? First, it is the support that the plant uses to stay in the soil. And the second, not less important element is food. Through the root, nutrients and water are absorbed from the soil. The roots of some plants live up to 500 years or more. Shrubs - to 20. In herbaceous plants - many annuals, but some up to 15-20 years.

What parts does the plant have? First of all, it's roots. They live in the soil and help the body to grow, feeding it, sucking minerals from the soil. Roots contain thousands of micro-fibers. The roots of some plants have the form of a rod (rod). This is a big root, from which the small branches are then branching off. Sometimes it is buried in soils for tens of meters in search of water and nutrients. Other representatives of the kingdom have many equivalent roots, which form a lumpy root system (for example, many herbs).

Not all plants have roots in the soil. In some tropical species (for example, orchids) they hang and from the air directly absorb moisture. And ivy is attached by its air roots to trees or walls.

Stem / trunk

The main parts of the plant are the stem (in the grass) or the trunk (in the trees). It should be noted that the trunks differ in a rather large variety, but they have similar functions and characteristics. In higher plants this is an elongated shoot. One of its main functions is the supporting one. On it are branches, leaves, buds, flowers. Also, the trunk or stem acts as a connecting element between the leaves and roots, its functions are thus wired. From the rhizomes water with minerals along the trunk reaches the crown, where the process of photosynthesis takes place .

And the stems of some plants (cactus) play the role of a storehouse of reserve nutrients, and when the dry season comes, the plant begins to feed on them. In creeping plants, the stem can take root in the soil, in the sites of the nodes it forms the accessory roots, thereby facilitating the function of reproduction and propagation. The clinging stem of the pea binds the plant to the support by means of the mustache, providing the most stable arrangement.

Leaves / crown / needles

Another name for the parts of the plant is the leaves. They perform many functions. The leaves are responsible for photosynthesis and nutrition of the tree in the light, temperature adjustment (evaporation in the heat) and growth. In autumn the tree sheds leaves, getting rid of harmful substances along with it. And leaves are of great importance for carrying out the vital activity of other inhabitants of the planet Earth: plants, microorganisms, animals and fungi, serving as their fodder base.

In the process of evolutionary development, in some plants, the leaves have changed, turning spines, or, conversely, become more fleshy. And the leaves of some plants can even catch and digest small insects.

Flowers / fruits / seeds

In fact, these are the organs of plant reproduction. They can have a different structure depending on the species, but the functions remain common. Flowers are needed for the formation of seeds and fruits (their number and appearance are also different). And in order for flowers to form fruits, pollination is necessary. Insects of various species (as well as some birds) perfectly cope with this function. They are attracted by aroma and color, nectar and pollen. Some plants are pollinated by the wind, and some are artificial by humans. And from the pollinated flowers fruits and seeds are already being formed, which ensure the continuation of the genus.