How do the different parts of a plant help it live and grow?

system- a set of parts that interact with one another deciduous- loses its leaves in the fall and grows new

ones in the spring pollinate- move pollen from the part of a flower that

makes pollen coniferous- does not lose its needle-like leaves in the

fall seed leaf- part of a seed that has stored food germinate- begins to grow seedling- a new, small plant that grows from a seed

Knowing how to compare and contrast can help you understand what you read and the things you observe.

• We compare when we say how things are alike.• We contrast when we say how things are

different.• Words and phrases such as similar, like, all,

both, or in the same way are used to compare.• Words and phrases such as unlike or in a

different way are used to contrast.

• Let’s try this reading skill by looking at a science article about plants and animals.

Both plants and animals are living things that need food, air, water, and space to live. Unlike most plants, most animals don’t stay in the same place. They move around. Unlike animals, most plants have roots that keep them in the same place.

What is alike?

What is different?

Let’s apply the skill. Make a Venn Diagram and use the information above from the science article to fill it in.

It’s a cool spring day and you are walking along a river in Alaska. Tall trees rise above the river. Why do some have flat, broad leaves, while others have sharp needles? Lots of other kinds of plants are growing here too. Even though they may look different, every plant needs the same things to live and grow. Listen. You hear a splash. An Alaskan brown bear bounds out of the trees into the river. The bear needs certain things too.

Most plants have four main parts. These parts are leaves, roots, stems, and flowers. In different kinds of plants, these parts may look similar. They may also look very different.

What All Living Things Need• food• air• water• space

A plant’s leaves make up its leaf system. A system consists of parts that work together. This leaf system makes food for the plant. Here’s how:

• Water enters the leaf from the roots and stem• Carbon dioxide enters the leaf through tiny holes on its underside• The leaves make sugar for food that passes through the stems to the rest of the plant• Plants make and let out oxygen gas when they make sugar• Plants need energy from the Sun to change carbon dioxide

and water into sugar and oxygen

Some trees have leaves that look like needles

A pecan tree leaf is made up of many smaller leaflets that grow across from each other

This oak leaf is more like the pecan leaves than the needle-like leaves.

Leaves help plants to balance the amount of water plants take in. If there is too much water in the plant, leaves will let some water out through the tiny holes on their underside.

Plants in dry places may have leaves with waxy or fuzzy coatings to help keep water in.

A plant’s leaves may also help to protect the plant from being eaten. Leaves might be poisonous, sharp, or tough to chew.

1. List the main parts of most plants.

2. How does a leaf help a plant live?

Scientist’s JournalCompare and Contrast- Describe ways that leaves are alike and different. Use a graphic organizer.

Journal Entry- Let’s pretend we’re botanists for the day. We will research a native plant, make drawings, and write a description.

Along with their leaves, plants need their root and stem systems to live and grow.

Cool Fact: The deepest root system ever recorded is that of a wild fig tree in South Africa. The roots of the tree extended 120 meters (393.7 feet) below the surface!

A plant’s root system:• takes in water and minerals• holds the plant in place• stores food the plant makes

A taproot is a large root that stores food.

At the tips of roots are tiny root hairs. Plants take in water through their root hairs.

Root branches with their many root hairs grow far into the soil to reach water.

Water travels through tubes to the plant’s stems and leaves.

A plant’s stem system:• supports the plant’s leaves, flowers, and

fruits• have tubes that move water and

minerals from the roots of plants to leaves

Stolons are thin and grow along the surface of the ground. Tree trunks serve as stems. Vines grow parts that wrap around objects that support the plant. Cactus stems swell up as they

store water and shrink as they use water. They also have a

thick, waxy covering to keep them from losing water.

1. How do stems help a plant?

2. How are roots and stems alike and different?

Scientist’s Journal

Write a paragraph that describes the special features of a cactus. Explain how these features help the cactus.

Find examples of different kinds of plant stems. Make a collage.

Most plants make seeds that grow into new plants. Sometimes a stem or root grows a new plant. When seeds scatter, they are moved away and have room to grow.

Ways That Seeds Scatter

Wind Wind scatters seeds that have parachutes or wings.

Water Water scatters seeds that float, such as coconuts.

Carried by Animals

Animals scatter seeds that can stick to fur.

Eaten by Animals

Animals scatter seeds when they eat fruit.

Seeds come in many different shapes, sizes, and colors. But they all have the same parts.

Seeds need certain things to start to grow, or germinate. They need the right temperature, the right amount of water, and air. When conditions are right, a seedling begins to grow.

seed coatStored food

embryo

1. Seeds in Fruit The part of a peanut you eat is a seed.

2. Germinating SeedsWhen a peanut germinates, a stem grows upward and a root grows downward.

3. SeedlingAs the small peanut plant grows leaves, it can begin making sugar for food.

4. Adult Plant with SeedsAdult flower stalks grow downward. The peanut flowers make their seeds underground. When the adult plant dies, it becomes part of the soil.

1. What are the parts of a seed?

2. Describe the life cycle of a plant.

Scientist’s Journal

George Washington Carver was an agricultural researcher who studied how to use many different types of plants, including peanuts. Research and write a short report about some of the product Carver made from plants.

Trees that lose their leaves are deciduous.

Coniferous trees do not lose all their leaves in the fall. These leaves look like needles or brushes.

Flowering plants grow flowers that make seeds. Flowers have parts that make pollen or seeds. Animals or wind pollinate a flower when they move pollen to the flower part that make seeds.

After a flower is pollinated, seeds form near the center of the flower. A fruit often grows to surround and protect the seeds.

A flower’s petals attract insects

and other animals

Pollen put on the tip of this part helps form seeds down

here

The tip of this part of the flower

makes pollen

Pollen sticks to the bodies of bees as bees

look for food. They carry this pollen to the part of the flower that

makes seeds.

Coniferous trees make two kinds of cones: small pollen cones and large seed cones. When pollen attaches to the seed cone, seeds begin to grow. A seed grows under each scale of the seed cone. When the seeds are ripe, they fall to the ground. If conditions are right, each seed can start growing into a new plant.

Wind blows pollen from these small cones to larger cones to larger cones on other trees.

Larger cones grow with seeds

inside. Coniferous seeds glide

to the ground.

1. What are two ways to group plants?

2. Describe two kinds of plant parts that can make seeds.

Scientist’s Journal

Write a paragraph that explains at least 3 different ways flowers can be pollinated. Illustrate and label.