Plants
Katie Russell
About the Book Standard Alignment & Intended Use
This book is aligned with the third grade Indiana state standard SCI.3.3.1 2010 [Identify the common
structures of a plant including its roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits and seeds. Describe their functions.]. This book is intended for use with students at a third grade reading level who are learning about plant anatomy. I recommend using this book as a supplement to interactive science lessons about plants and plant anatomy. Instructions
Read each chapter thoughtfully and complete the activities included in each chapter. At the end of the
book, there is a review section to complete. You may use the information in the chapters to help you answer the questions. Once you have answered all the questions correctly, you may continue to a different science activity. Plants by Katie Russell is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
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About the Author
Hello! My name is Katie Russell and I am currently a sophomore studying Early
Childhood Education at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. This past year I discovered my passion for teaching young children. I am a lifelong learner and I am always looking for new ways to improve. Teaching allows me to focus my efforts on improving the lives and education of others. I also love the energy and passion that young learners bring to the classroom. When I am not busy with school, I enjoy exploring bookstores, the local library, and volunteering in the Bloomington community. ii
CHAPTER 1
PLANTS
What is a plant?
Click the plant to begin! 4
Plants can be found all around us. If you go outside, you may notice grass under your feet and a tree providing you with shade. These are plants! Maybe there are flowers near your house. These are also plants! Plants are living organisms that grow in the ground. Most plants make their own food using energy from the sun in a process called photosynthesis. All plants reproduce.
Humans use plants for a variety of reasons. Plants provide us with food, shelter, cloth, and other things we use in everyday life. One of the most important things plants do is produce oxygen for us to breathe. They help keep the air fresh.
These are cotton plants. Humans use cotton to make fabric, which is used to make clothes. Is your T-shirt made of cotton? 5
CHAPTER 2
ROOTS
What are roots? *Roots are the part of the plant that grows underground. They absorb water and nutrients/ minerals from the soil to feed the plant. *These minerals and nutrients come from decayed plant and animal matter found in the soil. *Roots also anchor the plant to the ground, so it does not get pulled from the soil when it is windy or stormy.
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Do you know? There are two types of roots: fibrous roots and taproots.
Plants that have fibrous roots have hundreds of roots under the ground that are all about the same size. These roots grow in all directions and do not grow very deep into the ground. You can find fibrous roots growing under the grass.
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Plants with taproots have one large root that all the other roots grow from. This root grows straight into the ground and smaller roots grow out the sides of it. Dandelions have a taproot.
There are some special taproots that swell with food produced by the plant. These taproots can be a source of energy for humans! Have you ever eaten a carrot or a radish? Then you have eaten a taproot!
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CHAPTER 3
STEMS
Stems
All plants have stems. Stems provide plants with support and act as a transportation system for nutrients. One purpose of the stem is to push the leaves towards the sun so they can use photosynthesis to create food. The stem also holds up the flowers so they can be pollinated. Food and water for the plant is transported through tubes on the inside of the stem. There are two types of these tubes: xylem and phloem. The xylem tubes carry water and nutrients from the roots to the rest of the plant. The phloem tubes carry food from the leaves to the rest of the plant.
There are a variety of stems in the plant world. Here are a few examples.
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How do stems stay straight? Plants with upright stems use water pressure to keep the stem nice and tell. When there is a drought [an extended period of dry weather that can be dangerous to plants, animals, and humans], the stem
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Not all stems grow upright or vertically. Runner stems, such as the stems on a strawberry plant, grow horizontally to the ground. They are weak and limp, so they cannot grow upright. Climber stems, such as those found on morning glories, grow upward by anchoring themselves to other plants or structures.
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CHAPTER 4
LEAVES
Leaves grow off of the plant’s stem. Leaves have many parts, including the blade, midrib, veins, stomata, and petiole. Each serves a special function. The blade is the flat portion of the leaf that absorbs sunlight. The midrib is the “backbone” of the leaf and can be found in the center. Coming off of the midrib are the veins. These veins carry water from the stem into the leaf. The stomata on the bottom of the leaf open to take in carbon dioxide. They close to conserve moisture. The leaf is connected to the stem of the plant by the petiole.
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Match the Leaves!
Leaves are used to identify plant and tree species. 16
Leaves perform one of the most important functions of a plant: photosynthesis. Leaves take in carbon dioxide from the air, water from the ground, and sunlight to create food for the plant. The chloroplasts inside of the cells of the leaf take in these ingredients and create sugar, which is plant food!
Photosynthesis
Wouldn’t it be fun to go inside a plant to learn about photosynthesis?
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CHAPTER 5
Flowers
Flowers grow on a variety of plants. They are vital for plant reproduction. Flowers have male and female parts. Â The male parts of the plant are called the stamen and anther. The anther contains the pollen of the plant, which contains the male sex cells. The female parts of the plant are the carpel, stigma, pistil, and ovaries. The ovaries contain the female sex cells. 19
In order for a plant to make seeds and fruit, the male and female sex cells must be united. They are united through pollination. Birds and insects are attracted to the scent and nectar contained in flowers. When they feed from a flower, pollen attaches to their legs. When the birds and insects fly to another flower, the pollen gets transported. This transfers the male sex cells to the ovaries. The male sex cells unite with the female sex This butterfly is eating the nectar and pollinating cells and the plant begins to the flower. create fruit and seeds.
Pollination
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CHAPTER 6
FRUITS & SEEDS
Seeds are created by plants to continue the life cycle. They contain everything necessary to grow a new plant. The seed contains an embryo food to support the seed as it travels. Many seeds remain dormant for a period of time before it begins growing and this food helps it live. The seed is covered in a seed coat, which protects the seed as it travels. Some seeds are covered in fruit or pods. The fruit created through pollination protects the seeds and helps transport them. 22
Seeds travel by wind, water, and animals (including humans!). Some seed pods fly to the ground, such as the Maple tree pods.
Maple seeds are sometimes called helicopters because of how they travel in the air. 23
Some seeds are covered in fruit or pods. The fruit created through pollination protects the seeds and helps transport them. The seeds are dispersed by the animal’s dung.
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Some plants have developed some unique ways of traveling, such as the Cocklebur. This plant hides its seeds in burs that stick to clothes and animal fur.
These methods of seed travel allow plants to grow a lot of different places.
These seeds are stuck on someone’s sweater. 25
CHAPTER 7
REVIEW
What Do You Remember? Question 1 of 7
Leaves take in carbon dioxide and release...?
A.
Oxygen
B.
Carbon oxygen
C.
Water
D.
Green gas
Check Answer
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CHAPTER 8
RESOURCES
Cover image: angelac72. (2014). Beautiful Plant Wild Flowers Yellow [JPEG]. Retrieved from http://pixabay.com/en/dandelion-beautiful-plant-263789/ Hosking, Ben. (2010). 2010_0112 - Plant Textures2_4 [JPEG]. Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/benhosking/5221677213/in/photolist-8XqsHt-4VrPJy-7FLyHs-6zD6z4fNxL6t-8ppwd4-5wKjmy-4hmwcr-2fXb4-4ACMkQ-7dBQBf-5mvi3T-57ZbtW-eHYXzp-7rAqtu-a2AEQA-eAxpQZ-eRL99o-9RgyYp-8hjcHB-mALSQP-xpbiv-9A4Mze-8WhtDk-jHpVi-7cKLXxdr18RQ-2ooXzz-6C55Qc-5xUBtu-55kXMz-6JuS3y-xAnR-7E7sxJ-6yGRgf-eRqoR-mAKEre-fuQUuB-vzNgL-bi13HK-7RKJNU-79QCjs-4ckb42-kbRZJ-95gPHE-KxDSx-bwJpgm-RHDs-bXzRSh-HS3a8
Table of Contents: annetteJO. (2014). Dandelion Macro Flower Flowers Plant Roadside [JPEG]. Retrieved from http://pixabay.com/en/dandelion-macro-flower-flowers-248505/ GLady. (2011). Leaf Nature Green Water Drop [JPEG]. Retrieved from http://pixabay.com/en/leaf-nature-green-water-drop-8701/ Mocking-turtle-stock. (2010). Pink and Yellow Flower 1.1 [JPEG]. Retrieved from http://mocking-turtle-stock.deviantart.com/art/Pink-and-Yellow-Flower-1-1-175465926 Public Domain. (2008). Nsr-slika-431 [PNG]. Retrieved from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nsr-slika-431.png Schwartzman, Josh. (2004). Lauhala seeds [JPEG]. Retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/photos/geeosh/45712342/ Smgrimes. (2012). Nerve Plant [JPEG]. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Nerve_Plant.JPG Tambako The Jaguar. (2011). Curious Plants... [JPEG]. Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/tambako/5538557150 Tran, Phuong. (2010). Nhánh cây cỏ Mủ có lông [JPEG]. Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/phuonglovejesus2782010/4975556137/
Chapter 1: annetteJO. (2014). Dandelion Macro Flower Flowers Plant Roadside [JPEG]. Retrieved from http://pixabay.com/en/dandelion-macro-flower-flowers-248505/ Bert Kaufman. (2008). Dresden [JPEG]. Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/22746515@N02/2946746624/ Harrison, J.J. (2009). Sedum rubrotinctum [JPEG]. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sedum_rubrotinctum.jpg Head, H. (2008) Amazing Plants. Pleasantville, NY: Gareth Stevens Publishing. McEvoy, P. (2003) Plants. Broomall, PA: Chelsea Clubhouse. playfielder. (2008). A Pretty Flower [JPEG]. Retrieved from http://playfielder.deviantart.com/art/A-Pretty-Flower-106848313 Spilsbury, L. and Spilsbury, R. (2003). The Life of Plants Plant Parts. Chicago, IL: Reed Educational & Professional Publishing. United States Department of Agriculture. (2006). CottonPlant [JPEG}. Retrieved from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:CottonPlan.JPG
Chapter 2: Ehrhardt, Rene. (2009). Buddha Head Inbedded in Roots at Wat Phra Mahathat, Ayuthaya, Thailand [JPEG]. Retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/photos/16870604@N07/2391226598\ Hardyplants. (2009). Buckeye6 [JPEG]. Retrieved from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Buckeye6.jpg Hardyplants. (2007). Plant taproots [JPEG]. Retrieved from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Plant_taprootts.jpg Head, H. (2008) Amazing Plants. Pleasantville, NY: Gareth Stevens Publishing. McEvoy, P. (2003) Plants. Broomall, PA: Chelsea Clubhouse. Navaneeth Krishnan S. (2012). Carrot-ooty [JPEG]. Retrieved from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Carrot-ooty.jpg Neo, Paolo. (2013). Roots of big old tree [JPEG]. Retrieved from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Roots_of_big_old_tree.jpg OpenClips. (2013). Botany Plant Roots [JPEG]. Retrieved from http://pixabay.com/en/botany-plant-roots-160035/
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United States Department of Agriculture. Plant taproot [JPEG]. Retrieved from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Plant_taproot.jpg Wilthebest. (2008). Tree Roots [JPEG]. Retrieved from http://wilthebest.deviantart.com/art/Tree-Roots-106104964
Chapter 3: Cliff. (2009). 'Emerald Pink' Moss Phlox (Phlox Subulata) [JPEG]. Retreived from https://www.flickr.com/photos/nostri-imago/3530433399/ Head, H. (2008) Amazing Plants. Pleasantville, NY: Gareth Stevens Publishing. InAweofGod’sCreation. (2004). Morning Glories Elizabeth Perkins House [JPEG]. Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/nhoulihan/3632686566/ JustyCinMD. (2012). daffodil stem [JPEG]. Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/justycinmd/6882436113/ McEvoy, P. (2003) Plants. Broomall, PA: Chelsea Clubhouse. MichealMaggs. (2007). Hyancinthoides non-scripta (Common Bluebell) [JPEG]. Retreived from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hyacinthoides_non-scripta_(Common_Bluebell).jpg Ptlelea. (2013). B. macrostachya winged stem [JPEG]. Retrieved from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:B._macrostachya_winged_stem.jpg Rulkens, Ton. (2010). Jatropha hybrid - Stem (110 DAS) [JPEG]. Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/47108884@N07/4594962925/ Simmons, Gerald. (2004). Drought in Australia [JPEG]. Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/41789280@N06/3852644098/in/photostream/ Spilsbury, L. and Spilsbury, R. (2003). The Life of Plants Plant Parts. Chicago, IL: Reed Educational & Professional Publishing. Tran, Phuong. (2010) Nhánh cây cỏ Mủ chụp gần [JPEG]. Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/phuonglovejesus2782010/4975556065/in/photostream/ Tran, Phuong. (2010). Nhánh cây cỏ Mủ có lông [JPEG]. Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/phuonglovejesus2782010/4975556137/
Chapter 4: Benjamint444. Bay leaf442 [JPEG]. Retrieved from http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bay_leaf442.jpg GLady. (2011). Leaf Nature Green Water Drop [JPEG]. Retrieved from http://pixabay.com/en/leaf-nature-green-water-drop-8701/ Head, H. (2008) Amazing Plants. Pleasantville, NY: Gareth Stevens Publishing. Jaknouse. (2007). Aesculus flava-leaf [JPEG]. Retrieved from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aesculus_flava-leaf.jpg Jaknouse. (2007). Freeman maple leaf [JPEG]. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Freeman_maple_leaf.jpg Jaknouse. (2007). Robinia pseudoacacia-leaf [JPEG]. Retrieved from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Robinia_pseudoacacia-leaf.jpg Junkeatwe Wong. (January 3, 2014). Magic School Bus Gets Planted. 12:45-14:46. Retrieved 4/22/14 from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8DYrzoApuw Kumaravel, Thangaraj. (2010). Betel leaf (Piper Betle) [JPEG}. Retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/photos/49694447@N00/5273307331 McEvoy, P. (2003) Plants. Broomall, PA: Chelsea Clubhouse. Ninjatacoshell. (2011). Autumn Horse Chestnut Leaf [JPEG]. Retrieved from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Autumn_Horse_Chestnut_Leaf.jpg Spilsbury, L. and Spilsbury, R. (2003). The Life of Plants Plant Parts. Chicago, IL: Reed Educational & Professional Publishing.
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Chapter 5: Cerny, Martin. (2011). Untitled [JPEG]. Retrieved from http://www.fotopedia.com/items/dragonfliescz-i6-vHpvE0HY Cuber, Bartosz. (2012). Lilium martagon – pollination 01 [JPEG]. Retrieved from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lilium_martagon_-_pollination_01.jpg Fagen, Adam. (2008). Stationary pollination [JPEG]. Retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/photos/afagen/2750330596/ Head, H. (2008) Amazing Plants. Pleasantville, NY: Gareth Stevens Publishing. Laitche. (2008). Graphium sarpedon WQXGA [JPEG]. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Graphium_sarpedon_WQXGA.jpg McEvoy, P. (2003) Plants. Broomall, PA: Chelsea Clubhouse. Mocking-turtle-stock. (2010). Pink and Yellow Flower 1.1 [JPEG]. Retrieved from http://mocking-turtle-stock.deviantart.com/art/Pink-and-Yellow-Flower-1-1-175465926 Nicolas, Guerin. (2007). Pollination Bee Dandelion zoom2 [JPEG]. Retrieved from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Image-Pollination_Bee_Dandelion_Zoom2.JPG Spilsbury, L. and Spilsbury, R. (2003). The Life of Plants Plant Parts. Chicago, IL: Reed Educational & Professional Publishing. Wills, Tony. (2008). Blackberry flower 2 [JPEG]. Retrieved from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Blackberry_flower_02.jpg
Chapter 6: (2006). Cocklebur (Xanthium canadense) [JPEG]. Retrieved from http://opencage.info/pics.e/large_5399.asp 31946. (2013). Dandelion Seeds Macro Nature [JPEG]. Retrieved from http://pixabay.com/en/dandelion-seeds-macro-nature-111485/ Acharya, Sanjay. (2009). Brown Flax Seeds [JPEG]. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Brown_Flax_Seeds.jpg Aelwyn. (2007). Epizoochoria NRM [JPEG]. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Epizoochoria_NRM.jpg Croos, Anton. (2012). An opened pomegranate [JPEG]. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:An_opened_pomegranate.JPG Head, H. (2008) Amazing Plants. Pleasantville, NY: Gareth Stevens Publishing. McEvoy, P. (2003) Plants. Broomall, PA: Chelsea Clubhouse. Schwartzman, Josh. (2004). Lauhala seeds [JPEG]. Retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/photos/geeosh/45712342/ Spilsbury, L. and Spilsbury, R. (2003). The Life of Plants Plant Parts. Chicago, IL: Reed Educational & Professional Publishing. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region. (2013). Maple seeds (8704311667) [JPEG]. Retrieved form http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Maple_seeds_%288704311667%29.jpg
Chapter 7: Bjornwireen. (2010). Root rot in cicer arietinum (hydro-grown) [JPEG]. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Root_rot_in_cicer_arietinum_(hydro-grown).jpg Nagle, Laura. (2008). Climbing pink roses [JPEG]. Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/lauranagle/4561413104/ Science and Plants for Schools. (2006). Tap roots of a wild Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale agg.) [JPEG]. Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/71183136@N08/6947119736/ Smgrimes. (2012). Nerve Plant [JPEG]. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Nerve_Plant.JPG Sullvan, Jon. (2003). Leaf 1 web [JPEG]. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wikiFile:Leaf_1_web.jpg
Chapter 8: Tambako The Jaguar. (2011). Curious Plants... [JPEG]. Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/tambako/5538557150
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