Four main plant organs allow the life processes to take place:
1) Flower
- The flower contains the organs of plant sexual reproduction
- It attracts insects needed to carry the pollen between plants to allow pollination
- It's really important for reproduction
2) Stem
- The stem is the organ which holds the leaves upright in the air and facing the light
- It carries water and minerals to the leaves, and food around the plant
- The stem is important for nutrition, excretion and growth
3) Leaves
- The leaves are the organs of photosynthesis
- They make all the food that the plant needs
- Leaves contain chlorophyll, which uses light energy to change carbon dioxide and water into glucose
- They have tiny little pores, which allow essential carbon dioxide in and waste gases out
- Leaves are important for nutrition and excretion
4) Roots
- The root is the organ which provides anchorage for the plant so that it does not blow away or fall over
- With its root hairs it provides a big surface area to help take in water and minerals from the soil - these are both essential for photosynthesis
- The root is therefore important for nutrition
All parts will be sensitive to the surroundings. The flowers may move to close at night and the shoot will grow and move to find light. Every cell in the plant will respire and change glucose into energy.
