In the nature that surrounds us, there are a great many plants that make up the whole kingdom. Scientists-botanists suggest that there are more than 350 thousand species on Earth! And if you count also 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 found by comparing among themselves different representatives of terrestrial and marine vegetation.
What parts does the plant consist of?
Take any herbaceous representative of the flora, for example - violet. What parts does a plant of this type consist of? The first is a soft stem. Many herbs are annuals, that is, after the seeds fall out, the plant dies (the stem first dries out). Another type - shrubs, for example, take a dog rose. Instead of a stem, such a plant has several trunks that are much harder than grassy ones. The third type of plants is trees, for example, oak. It has one solid and large trunk (sometimes branched), covered with bark. Otherwise, all plant types are structurally convergent.
What parts does the plant have?
We list them in order:
- root;
- stem (or trunk, or several trunks);
- leaves;
- flowers
- fruit.
Let's take a closer look at what parts the plant consists of, in more detail.
Root
What is the root of every representative of the terrestrial flora for? Firstly, it is the support that the plant uses to stay in the soil. And the second, no less important element is nutrition. Through the root, nutrients and water are absorbed from the soil. The roots of some plants live up to 500 years or more. Shrubs - up to 20. In herbaceous plants - many annuals, but some up to 15-20 years.
What parts does the plant have? First of all, these are the roots. They live in the soil and help the body grow, nourishing it, absorbing minerals from the soil. The roots contain thousands of microwaxes. The roots of some plants have the form of a rod (rod). This is a large root, from which small ones later branch. Sometimes it goes deeper into the soil for tens of meters in search of water and nutrients. Other representatives of the kingdom have many equivalent roots that form a bundled root system (for example, many herbs).
Not all plants have roots in the soil. In some tropical species (for example, orchids) they hang down and directly absorb moisture from the air. And ivy is attached with its aerial roots to trees or walls.
Stem / trunk
The main parts of the plant are the stem (in herbs) or the trunk (in trees). It should be noted that the trunks are quite diverse, but have similar functions and characteristics. In higher plants, this is an elongated shoot. One of its main functions is support. On it are branches, leaves, buds, flowers. Also, the trunk or stem acts as a connecting element between the leaves and roots, its functions, therefore, are wired. From rhizomes, water with minerals through the trunk gets to the crown, where the photosynthesis process takes place .
And also 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, forming subordinate roots at the sites of nodes, thereby facilitating the function of reproduction and distribution. The clinging stalk of peas fastens the plant to the support through a mustache, providing the most stable location.
Leaves / Crown / Needles
Another name for the parts of the plant is leaves. They perform many functions. The leaves are responsible for photosynthesis and nutrition of the tree in the light, temperature control (evaporation in the heat) and growth. In autumn, a tree drops foliage, getting rid of harmful substances with it. And the leaves are of great importance for the life of other inhabitants of the planet Earth: plants, microorganisms, animals and fungi, serving them as a food base.
In the process of evolutionary development in some plants, the leaves changed, turning spines, or, conversely, became more fleshy. And the leaves of some plants can even catch and digest small insects.
Flowers / Fruits / Seeds
In fact, these are plant propagation organs. They may have a different structure depending on the type, but the functions remain common. Flowers are needed for the formation of seeds and fruits (their quantity and appearance also differ). And in order for the fruits to form fruits, pollination is necessary. Insects of various species (as well as some birds) do an excellent job with this function. They are attracted by aroma and color, nectar and pollen. Some plants are pollinated with the help of wind, and some are artificially pollinated by humans. And from pollinated flowers, fruits and seeds are already formed, ensuring the reproduction of the genus.