Unit A: Chapter 1 Vocabulary Types of Plants Mrs. Tweedie July 2006

What are roots? Roots are the underground parts of plants. They take in water and nutrients from the soil.

What is a stem? A stem connects the roots with the leaves of a plant and supports the plant above the ground. A tree trunk is a stem.

What are leaves? Leaves are plant parts that grow out of the stem. The leaves help the plant get light and air.

What are cells? Plants are made up of small units called cells. A cell is the building block of all living things.

What is a microscope? A microscope was invented in You can see cells with it.

What is the nucleus? The nucleus of a cell can be compared to your brain. The nucleus has all the instructions the cell needs to do its job.

What is the cell membrane? Around the cell is the cell membrane, which is similar to your skin. The cell membrane controls what goes into and out of the cell.

What is the cell wall? The cell wall is another layer around the outside. It is much thicker than the cell membrane and gives the cell shape.

What is the vacuole? The vacuole contains water and waste materials.

What is the chloroplast? The chloroplast contains the chlorophyll that allows the plant to make food.

What is the cytoplasm? The inside of the cell is filled with cytoplasm. This substance is liquidlike and helps hold the other parts of the cell in place.

What is a simple plant? A simple plant has no roots, stems, or leaves. Most simple plants grow in damp, shady places.

What is a seed? A seed is the first stage of growth in many plants.

What is a cutting? A cutting is a leaf or piece of stem that may be used to grow a new plant.

What is a bulb? A bulb is an underground plant part that can be used to grow new plants.

What is a tuber? A tuber is an underground plant part that can be used to grow new plants.

What does germinate mean? Germinate is when a small plant breaks out of a seed.

What is a seedling? A seedling is a young plant.

What is photosynthesis? Photosynthesis is the food-making process of plants.

What is chlorophyll? Plants get their green color from chlorophyll. Chlorophyll helps the plant use energy from the sun to make food.