PLANTS

Plants are living things that, like animals, need basic things to live. Air – contains carbon dioxide Nutrients – substances such as minerals Water Light – no plant can live in total darkness

The big difference between plants and animals is that plants can make their own food.

Making Food A plant makes its own food by a process called photosynthesis that takes place in a plant’s leaves.

A plant needs four things for photosynthesis: Sunlight Water – gathered by the roots from soil Carbon dioxide – from the air Chlorophyll – material that makes a leaf green

Photosynthesis Plants use sunlight to turn the water and air into glucose (sugar). Plants use glucose as food for energy. Oxygen is then given off as a waste product from the leaves.

Oxygen is given off as waste, like smoke from a factory’s smokestack.

Functions of Plant Parts

Carry on photosynthesis Leaves Carry on photosynthesis Release oxygen

Stems Support plants and give them shape Contain tubes that carry water and minerals from the roots and food from the leaves to all parts of the plant Store water and food

Roots Hold plants in the soil Take in water and nutrients

Plant Life Cycles Seeds are the first part in a flowering plant’s life cycle.

To begin to grow, seeds need warmth, water, and air. This helps it to germinate (sprout) Seedlings sprout in soil and grow to become mature (adult) plants. Mature plants form flowers.

Flower Parts and Seeds Flowers have parts that work together to make seeds.

Stamen Makes pollen (a kind of powder)

Pistil The top collects pollen The bottom is the ovary where seeds form – the ovary swells up