THE 5 PARTS OF PLANTS AND THEIR FUNCTIONS - BIOLOGY - 2025

The main parts of plants are the root, stem, leaf, flower and fruit. They can be classified into aerial parts and underground parts.

The aerial parts, those that are on the ground, are the stem, the leaf, the flower and the fruit. For its part, the main underground structure of the plant is the root.

Each of these components performs a task that allows the correct functioning of the plant organism.

For example, leaves are involved in the processes of photosynthesis, transpiration and in some cases of reproduction. For its part, the stem offers support to the plant, participates in the transport of substances and in reproduction.

From this it is understood that the components of a plant can perform more than one function at a time. Hence the importance of each of these structures.

List of parts of the plant with their functions

Plants are made up of a series of aboveground and underground structures. Aerial structures are those that grow above the earth's surface, such as the stem, leaves, flowers and fruits.

For their part, underground structures are those that experience negative growth, that is, they extend in the opposite direction to the stem and enter the subsoil.

1- Stem

The stem is the part of the plant that, together with the branches and leaves, grows on the surface of the earth.

The main functions of this structure are mechanical support and substance transport.

Mechanical support

The most obvious function of the stem is to offer support to the other aerial structures of the plant (leaves, flowers, fruits). To guarantee the efficient fulfillment of this function, the stem has a series of mechanical tissues.

There are two types of tissues that fulfill this function: collenchyma and sclerenchyma. Collenchyma is a living tissue capable of continuing to grow.

For its part, sclerenchyma is a tissue made up of dead cells. It is much stiffer than the previous tissue and is the one usually found in the trunks of trees.

Transport of substances

Through the stem, substances are transported from the roots to the leaves and vice versa. The conductive tissues of the plant are what allow this function to be carried out.

The xylem and phloem are the two conductive tissues present in higher plants. The xylem is responsible for driving the raw sap (water and minerals) from the root to the leaves). It is made up of dead tissue and is woody.

The phloem is responsible for the transport of the processed sap (a substance processed during photosynthesis). Unlike xylem, transport through the phloem can be bidirectional.

Other functions of the stem

The stem can also fulfill the function of storage of nutritious substances of the plant. Also, some plant organisms can reproduce asexually from a stem cut.

2- Root

The root is the part of the plant that grows under the ground. It consists of four parts: the cap, the piliferous area, the branching area and the bare area. The cap is the structure that covers the tip of the root and protects it. The hairy area is made up of fine hairs.

The branching zone is one of the thickest parts of the root, from which secondary roots emerge. Lastly, the bare area is the part of the root that joins the stem.

The functions of the root are the absorption of substances necessary for the plant, support and storage.

Substance absorption

The main function of the root of a plant is to absorb nutrients, water and mineral salts found in the soil. This is achieved thanks to the absorbent hairs in the hairy area.

Support

The root works as an anchor, since it fixes the plant in the subsoil. In addition, the bare area offers support for the stem.

Warehouse

In some vegetables, the roots function as a storehouse for nutrients. When these substances accumulate, the roots increase in size.

If the increase occurs in the main root, then it will be spoken of napiform root (for example, the turnip). If the increase occurs in a secondary root, it will be a tuberous root (such as potato).

3- Sheet

The leaves are structures that are found at the ends of the branches of the stem. These contain chloroplasts, which are components that make photosynthesis possible.

The main functions of the leaves are photosynthesis, transpiration and gas exchange.

Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis is the process that allows plants to create their own food. This is due to a green pigment called chlorophyll, which is found in chloroplasts.

Perspiration

Through the stomata present in the leaves, the plants can remove excess water.

Gas exchange

The leaf is the main organ that intervenes in the gas exchange between the plant and the environment. Through these structures, the plant absorbs carbon dioxide necessary for photosynthesis and expels oxygen.

4- Flower

Flowers are structures that grow at one end of the stem or on a branch of it. It constitutes the reproductive organ of the plant, so its main function is to participate in sexual reproduction.

There are two types of flowers: unisexual and bisexual. The unisexuals have reproductive structures of only one sex (as in the pines), while the bisexuals have structures of both sexes (as in the willows).

5- Fruit

The fruit is the product of fertilization in plants. It is formed by a seed covered by an envelope that can vary in shape and dimensions according to the plant.

This structure performs the seed dispersal function. In this way, the plant can guarantee the continuity of the species. Added to this, the fruits represent a way to store nutrients.

References

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6. Plant Parts and Their Functions. Retrieved on October 12, 2017, from pmfias.com
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