Parts of a Plant - Class 3 Notes & Questions

Plants are incredibly important for life on Earth. They are found all around us, in various shapes and sizes. They provide us with oxygen, food, clothing, timber, medicine, and many other things that we rely on.

Plants and their Parts

a) A plant has two main parts: the shoot and the root.
b) The shoot grows above the soil and includes the stem, branches, leaves, buds, flowers, and fruits. These different parts of the plant work together to help it survive and grow.
c) The part of the plant that grows below the ground is called the root. They absorb water and nutrients from the soil, which are like the plant's food.

1. Root

The root is an important part of a plant. It keeps the plant steady in the soil and absorbs water and nutrients from the ground. It then carries these substances to other parts of the plant. There are two types of roots: taproot and fibrous root.

Taproot

a) It is like the main root of the plant that grows straight down into the soil.
b) It has many smaller roots branching off from it.
c) Some plants with taproots are carrots, mustard, radish, turnip, and beetroot.

Fibrous root

a) It is made up of many roots that grow from the lower part of the stem underground.
b) These roots spread out in different directions.
c) Grasses, wheat, rice, corn, rosemary, and coconut are some examples of plants with fibrous roots.

Both types of roots help plants get the water and nutrients they need to survive and grow.

Differences between Tap root and Fibrous root are given below.

2. Stem

a) The stem is a really important part of a plant's shoot system. It usually grows above the ground and helps support the upper parts of the plant, like the branches, leaves, flowers, and fruits.
b) One of the main jobs of the stem is to keep the plant standing upright and straight.
c) The stem carries water and minerals from the roots up to the other parts of the plant. This helps the plant get the nourishment it needs to grow and stay healthy.
d) The stem also plays a role in transporting food made by the leaves to different parts of the plant like flowers or fruits.
e) Some plants even have stems that we can eat. For example, we eat the stem of plants like onions, potatoes, ginger, and many others.

3. Leaves

Leaves are the parts of a plant that grow from the stem or branches. They are thin, flat, and usually green in colour.

Parts of a Leaf

Leaf blade: It is the big, flat part that we see. It's like the leaf's body. The leaf blade has veins running through it.

Vein: They carry water, nutrients, and sugars to different parts of the leaf.

Midrib: It is the main vein in the middle of the leaf.

Petiole: The petiole is like the leaf's stem. It connects the leaf to the stem of the plant and allows it to get nutrients and water from it.

Functions of a Leaf

a) Leaves help the plant make its own food through a process called photosynthesis.
b) During photosynthesis, leaves use sunlight, carbon dioxide from the air, and water from the roots to make glucose (sugar). This food provides energy for the plant to grow and thrive. Plants also release oxygen during this process.

c) Leaves also help plants breathe in carbon dioxide.
d) Leaves release extra water from the plant.
e) Some leaves are not just good for the plant, but also good for us to eat. We can eat the leaves of certain plants like spinach, cabbage, lettuce, and many others.

4. Flowers

a) Flowers are the most beautiful parts of a plant. They come in many vibrant colours and have a lovely fragrance.
b) One of the main jobs of a flower is to attract insects, bees, and butterflies.
c) Flowers play a crucial role in the plant's reproduction by helping them make seeds.
d) Some flowers are not only beautiful but also tasty. We can eat the flowers of certain plants, such as the flowers of banana plants, sunflowers, jasmine, and many others.

5. Fruits

a) Fruits come from flowers. They are usually tasty and have a fleshy or juicy part that we can eat. Inside the fruit, there are seeds.
b) Each fruit can have different types and numbers of seeds.
c) Fruits serve as a protective covering for the seeds, keeping them safe until they are ready to grow into new plants.
d) Some fruits also act as storage units. They store food for the plant, like apples, oranges, grapes, plums, and many others.

6. Seeds

a) Seeds are small, hard structures produced by plants. They have a vital job to give rise to a new plant.
b) Inside the seed, there is an embryo, which is like a baby plant waiting to grow. A seed can grow if it gets the right environment with plenty of water and soil.
c) Seeds are mostly found inside the fruit, nestled within its flesh or protected by a hard outer coat.
d) Some seeds are not just meant for growing new plants, but they are also edible. Such as seeds like rice, wheat, maize, peas, and many others.