Plant Structure (Notes)

Plant Structure

• All flowering plants consist of a shoot and a root.
• The root anchors the plant and absorbs water. It also absorbs minerals that are dissolved in the water.
• The stem holds the plant towards the sunlight, supports the flower, transports water and minerals up to the leaves and transports food down from the leaves.
• The leaf makes food by photosynthesis, loses water by transpiration, and exchanges carbon dioxide with oxygen.
• The flower forms the seeds for reproduction.
• Xylem Cells transport water and dissolved minerals up through the plant (Hint for remembering: Xylem = Water).
• Phloem Cells transport food down from the leaves to all the other parts of the plant (Hint for remembering: Phloem = Food)

Plant Transport

• Water is absorbed through the roots of a plant.
• Xylem Cells transport water and dissolved minerals up through the plant (Hint for remembering: Xylem = Water).
• Phloem Cells transport food down from the leaves to all the other parts of the plant (Hint for remembering: Phloem = Food)

Transpiration

• Transpiration is the movement of water from the roots to the surface of the plant and the loss of water from the surface of the plant.
• Water is lost through stomata - tiny pores between cells on the undersurface of a leaf.
• Transpiration provides water for photosynthesis.
• Transpiration carries dissolved minerals up the plant.
• Transpiration also cools cools the plant.
• Transpiration is highest with bright sunlight, availability of soil water, and a low humidity.