Plants have roots, stems and leaves — Biology, 4–6 years
A plant is made of parts that do different jobs. Roots, stems and leaves work together to help it live.
What each part does
Roots hold a plant in the ground and take in water. The stem holds the plant up and carries water, while leaves catch light and help the plant make food. A carrot, a stem and a leaf show these parts clearly.
Why look at plant parts?
If a plant is just called “a plant”, it is hard to explain why it needs soil, water and light. Looking at its parts helps us answer real questions, such as why a dry root makes leaves droop or why a stem bends towards a window.
Follow the water
Put a white flower or celery stalk in a glass of water with a little food colouring. After a few hours, coloured lines may appear in the stem. The water travelled up the stem, and the leaf veins carried it towards the leaves.
The trap: roots are not always visible
It is easy to say that a plant has no roots when you cannot see them. That is a reasonable guess because roots are often under the soil. Check gently, or use a bean growing in a clear jar, to see the hidden roots.
At the garden or market
Gardeners use plant parts when they care for food crops. They water near roots, support stems with sticks and check leaves for changes. At a market, we may eat a root such as a carrot, a stem such as celery, or leaves such as lettuce.
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