CBSE Class 6 Science: Structure and Functions of Parts of Plants

Parts of Plants (Parts of Flowering Plants)

Parts of a Plant

Plants mainly have root system and shoot system.
Root system grows under the grows. It contains the primary, secondary and teritiary roots.
The shoot system grows above the soil. It contains stem, leaves, flowers and fruits.

Roots grow under the soil in most of the plants.
They fix the plant firmly into the soil and helps the plant to stand erect (or upright) above the soil.
Roots absorb water and minerals from the soil.
In some plants roots store food. Such roots are called modified roots.

Stem grows upright (or erect) above the soil and it grows branches.
Stem and branches support all the other parts of the plant.
It conducts (or carries) water and minerals from the roots to leaves.
It also conducts the prepared food from the leaves to other parts of the plant.
In some plants, stems perform additional functions. Such stems are called modified stems.

Leaves are the most important part of the plant.
In most of the plants, leaves are green in color due to the present of chlorophyll.
Leaves prepare food through a process called photosynthesis.
In some plants, leaves change their structure to perform other functions. Such leaves are called modified leaves.
A leaf has mainly three parts: lamina, petiole and leaf base.

Parts of a Leaf

Lamina (Blade): The broad, flat green part of the leaf.
Petiole: The stalk that connects the leaf blade to the stem
Midrib: The thick middle line on the leaf blade that divides it into two halves.

Parts of a flower

Sepal: The green leaf-like structure at the base of the flower. It protects the flowers in its bud stage.
Petal: The brightly coloured fragrant part of the flower. It attracts birds and insects which help in pollination.
Stamen: The male reproductive part that consists of a filament with an anther on top. The anther contains pollen grains.
Carpel: The female reproductive part that consists of a top part called stigma, a tubular middle part called style and a swollen base called ovary. The ovary contains ovules.

A fruit is a ripened or a mature ovary.
It is the fleshy and juicy edible (eatable) part that stores food.
It contains seeds inside. A seed has three main parts: a seed coat, an embryo (a baby plant) and cotyledons.
Parts of a Seed:
Parts of a seed
- Seed Coat: The outer covering that protects the seed.
- Embryo: The future baby plant that contains a radicle and a plumule. The radicle which grows downward into the soil and forms the roots. The plumule grows upwards and forms the shoot system.