Hello there dear learner. Today, we’re going to learn about the different parts of plants and their functions. Pretty easy really. As a human being, you have different parts of the body and they have different functions. Plants do too! Also, did you know that plants are found all over the world, including Antactica? And the final FUN FACT about plants is this – the word “banana” is believed to come from the Arabic word banan. That word means “finger”.
Now time to find out more about plants!
Parts of a Plant
The parts of a plant consist of leaves, roots, stems, flowers, seeds and fruits. Leaves are usually large and flat. This allows them to get as much sunlight as possible. Roots are usually found underground. Roots can be thin and long, or short and thick. There are fibrous roots and tap roots. Your homework is to find out what each of those terms means! Flowers are the reproductive part of a plant and a rich source of nectar. Which insects consume nectar? Do you know?
Functions of Roots
Roots, because they tend to be underground, are responsible for absorbing water and nutrients from the soil. Roots also held the plants firmly in the soil. This is called anchorage. This is why you will notice that even after a relatively strong wind, the plant remains in the soil. Some plants store food in the roots. Examples of this are cassava, yam, and the delicious sweet potato.
Functions of Stems
The stem transports water , mineral salts and food from the roots to other parts of the plant. Some plants store water in the stem, for example, the cactus plant. Other plants, like the potato and the sugarcane, store food in the stem.
Functions of Leaves
Leaves remove excess water from a plant through tiny holes called stomata. This is called transpiration. In humans, it is called perspiration! What a rhyme. When the leaf is tied with polythene paper that is transparent, water droplets can be seen inside the paper after a period of time.
Leaves also produce food for the plant via a process called photosynthesis. The green pigment in plants, which is called chlorophyll, traps solar energy.
Leaves are usually large and flat and this helps them get as much sunlight as possible. Plants like cabbages, onions and spinach store food in their leaves. Do you know any other plants that store food in their leaves? Please comment below dear learner!
Functions of Flowers
This part of a plant, grows at the top of a plant’s stem. It is usually colorful, fragile and many times, has a pleasant smell. Flowers are usually colorful so that they can attract pollinators. Do you know what pollinators are? Can you name one or two?
Functions of Fruits
Fruits hold the seeds. Some fruits are eaten but sometimes when they are ripe, they fall off and rot, which is great for the soil.
Functions of Seeds
Seeds hide inside fruits and they have a very important job. They grow into new plants. We need seeds and we should protect them for continuity of the plant. Sometimes, bird eat the fruits and then they poop the seeds onto the ground. Gross huh? Not really. Because when the birds poop the seeds out, these seeds grow into another plant. Yay!
Crossword puzzle on vertebrates and invertebrates
Types of Roots
There are two main types of roots – tap roots and fibrous roots. Before we continue, do you remember why roots are important? Can you name one main function of roots?
Tap Roots
They have one main root and this type of roots grows deep into the underground. Examples are beans, kale, oxalis, carrots, beetroots, , groundnuts and more. These types of roots grow vertically.
Fibrous Roots
This type of roots does not go deep into the ground. It has small roots branched out from the stem. Examples are rice, maize, wheat, sugarcane, coconut, bamboo and more. These type of roots grow horizontally.
Remember That…
Plants are part of our environment and should be taken care of.
Some plants have thorns and can cause injuries.
Some plants are poisonous and can make us, our pets and our livestock ill.
ANIMALS – INVERTEBRATES
Animals with a backbone are called vertebrates while those without are called invertebrates. Let’s take a look at different invertebrates.
Insects
Dear learner, do you like insects or do you think they are gross and ugly? Personally, I hate cockroaches. Yuk! I can’t stand them. But I do love ladybugs. Nevertheless, ugly or cute, insects are a vital part of the ecosystem. Insects are invertebrates. They:-
- have six legs
- have three body parts
- have compound eyes
- have a pair of antennae on their head
- lay eggs
- have wings but some do not
So is a spider an insect? Certainly not! Shock on you huh? I was also as surprised as some of you are right now. Insects have six legs while spiders (who belong to a group called arachnids) have eight.
You need to keep your distance from certain types of insects. Bees, hornets and wasps can sting you. Some spiders are harmful too. Bees are very important to the ecosystem. Do you know why? If you do, please post your comment on the comment section and let other learners know it too!
Spiders and Ticks (Arachnids)
Spiders, ticks and dustmites are among the animals that belong to arachnids. These little creatures
- have eight legs
- have a soft body
- do not have wings
- do not have any antennae
- their body is divided into two
Snails and Slugs (Mollusks)
You’ve probably seen a snail crawling slowly in your backyard. But wait. How did you know it was a snail? What if it was a slug? Have you been wrong all along? Maybe. Maybe not. Let’s find out.
First of all, you need to know that snails belong to the family called mollusks. Most snails have a shell. The shell protects them from dehydration and from predators. Yes, snails do have predators, such as toads, snakes and some birds. So now you know. Snails have shells and slugs do not.
Snails and slugs:-
- have a soft body.
- have mucus on the body.
- have no legs or wings
- have antennae, also known as tentacles
So what do snails eat? They eat anything from leaves, grass, stems, flowers to even, soil! And did you know that the world’s smallest snail was discovered in China in 2015, and that it is so tiny that TEN of them can fit into the eye of a needle? Incredible!
Millipedes and Centipedes (Myriapods)
These little creatures:-
- have many legs
- have a pair of antennae
- have segmented bodies
- have a hard outer cover known as the exoskeleton
When these creatures are threatened, it curls up into a ball. You’ve probably seen this. Are we talking about a centipede or a millipede?
How many legs do you think a millipede has? If you said a thousand, you are …… wrong. Most millipedes have about 400 legs but some do have up to 700. Millipedes are pretty harmless, but they can protect themselves. I’ve seen it firsthand. When my cats attempt to eat a millipede, the cats quickly dash back, as if they have smelt something horrible. That’s because millipedes release certain fluids to protect themselves from their enemies.
Centipedes produce venom, which, although it may not kill humans, can be irritating.
IMPORTANCE OF INVERTEBRATES TO HUMAN BEINGS AND THE ECOSYSTEM
- Insects, such as bees and butterflies, pass pollen grains from one flower to another.
- Bees provide honey which humans use as food. Honey is also known to be medicinal.
- Insects are a source of food to many animals
- Snails help in the aeration of soil as they move through it, creating tunnels and pathways. Millipedes and centipedes do this as well.