VST- Parts of a Plant and Adaptations

Plant Parts and Adaptations

An Interactive Exploration

Begin

The different parts of a plant are adapted to work together, helping the plant live and grow.

How do the special features (adaptations) of each plant part help it survive and grow in different environments?

Continue

Select the part of the tomato plant that absorbs water and nutrients from the soil, anchors the plant in the ground, and stores food.

You found the tomato plant roots! They absorb water and nutrients, anchor the plant, and can even store food. Now, let's look at the roots of other plants.

Continue

Roots

The roots of an apple tree grow deep and spread wide to find water and nutrients, which helps the tree survive during dry periods. These strong roots also anchor the tree firmly in the ground, keeping it stable even in strong winds.

Select the apple tree roots.

Mangrove trees have special roots that grow above the ground to take in what they need from the air and help keep the tree steady in soft, muddy soil.

Select the mangrove tree roots.

Cacti live in deserts, and their roots spread out just below the surface to quickly absorb water when it rains, even though rain is rare.

Select the cactus roots.

Let's review roots!

Roots

Let's review roots!

Let's review roots!

Excellent job reviewing roots! Now, select the part of the tomato plant that moves water and nutrients between the roots and leaves, supports the plant, and helps it stand upright.

Roots

Great job! You found the tomato plant's stem. It moves water and nutrients, supports the plant, and helps it stand upright. Now, let's explore how other plants have special stem adaptations for their environments.

Stem

Continue

Roots

Cacti have thick, waxy stems that store water and prevent water loss. The stem also performs photosynthesis, replacing leaves, helping the cactus thrive in hot, dry environments.

Select the cactus stem.

Vines have long, flexible stems that allow them to climb other plants or structures to reach sunlight. This adaptation helps them grow in crowded environments, like forests, where light is hard to find on the ground.

Select one of the vine stems.

Tree stems, also called trunks, are thick and strong to support the weight of branches, leaves, and sometimes fruit. This strength helps trees stand tall and withstand wind, rain, and other weather conditions.

Select the tree's stem (trunk).

Let's review stems!

Stem

Roots

Let's review stems!

Let's review stems!

Fantastic work on reviewing stems! Next, select a part of the plant that takes in sunlight and air, helping the plant make its own food through a process called photosynthesis.

Stem

Roots

You found the tomato plant's leaves! They take in sunlight and air, helping the plant make food through photosynthesis. Now, let's explore the leaves of other plants.

Leaves

Stem

Continue

Roots

Water lilies have adapted floating leaves that stay on the water’s surface, allowing them to easily take in sunlight and air for making food through photosynthesis.

Select one of the water lily leaves.

Pine tree leaves, called needles, are adapted to help the tree survive in cold and dry environments. Their thin shape and waxy coating help the tree keep water, which is important in places where water is limited, like during winter or in dry areas.

Select the pine tree needles.

Ferns have large, divided leaves to catch more sunlight. Some have tips that allow water to drip off, helping them stay dry and prevent mold or rot. Their young leaves start curled up to protect them as they grow. These features help ferns thrive in wet, shady environments where staying dry is crucial for survival.

Select the fern leaves.

Some trees are adapted to lose their leaves in the fall. This helps them save water and energy during the winter when there’s less sunlight. Changing colors and dropping leaves is how the tree gets ready to survive the cold months.

Select the fall leaves.

Let's review leaves!

Leaves

Stem

Roots

Let's review leaves!

Let's review leaves!

Leaves

Nice job reviewing leaves. Now, select the part of the plant that helps it reproduce by attracting pollinators, creating pollen, and making seeds.

Stem

Roots

Flowers

You found the tomato plant's flowers! Flowers help plants reproduce by attracting pollinators like bees, which carry pollen from one flower to another. This helps the plant make seeds for new plants. Now, let's look at different flower adaptations!

Leaves

Stem

Continue

Roots

Hibiscus flowers have large, colorful petals and a special long part in the center that sticks out, making it easier for pollinators like hummingbirds and bees to reach the pollen and help the plant reproduce.

Select one of the hibiscus flowers.

Foxglove flowers are long and tube-shaped, which makes it harder for small insects to reach the nectar. Only bees and hummingbirds, with long tongues, can get inside. This is an advantage because it makes sure that the right pollinators help spread the flower’s pollen, helping the plant reproduce.

Select one of the foxglove flowers.

The Bird of Paradise flower resembles a brightly colored bird to attract birds, especially sunbirds. When the bird lands to drink nectar, the flower opens, allowing pollen to stick to the bird. As the bird visits other flowers, it helps spread the pollen, ensuring the plant reproduces successfully.

Select the Bird of Paradise flower.

Let's review flowers!

Flowers

Leaves

Stem

Roots

Let's review flowers!

Let's review flowers!

Flowers

Leaves

Fantastic work at reviewing flowers. Next, select the part of the plant that protects its seeds and helps them spread.

Stem

Roots

Flowers

Leaves

Yes! The fruit of a tomato plant (the tomato) protects the seeds growing inside. These seeds are what grow into new plants.

Fruit

Stem

Now, select the seeds.

Roots

Flowers

Animals eat the tomato, and the seeds, which contain what is needed for a new plant to grow, are later dropped in new places, helping the plant spread. Now, let’s explore how other fruits have unique adaptations that help spread seeds!

Leaves

Fruit

Stem

Seeds

Continue

Roots

Holly berries are brightly colored to attract birds, which eat the berries and spread the seeds through their droppings. This adaptation helps holly plants grow in new locations.

Select the holly berry fruit.

Dandelions produce a type of fruit, though it doesn't look like typical fruits. The fruit of the dandelion is the small part attached to the fluffy parachute. The fluff helps the fruit, which holds the seed, float through the wind to new places.

Select the dandelion fruit being carried by the wind.

Burrs are fruits with tiny hooks that stick to animals' fur or people's clothes. This helps the seeds inside travel to new places, where they can fall off and grow.

Select one of the burrs.

Let's review fruit and seeds!

Flowers

Leaves

Fruit

Stem

Seeds

Roots

Let's review fruit and seeds!

Flowers

Leaves

Fruit

Stem

Seeds

Roots

Let's review fruit and seeds!

Let's review fruit and seeds!

From roots and stems to leaves, flowers, and fruits, each part has a special role. You’ve also learned how different plants have amazing adaptations that help them survive in their environments.

Flowers

Leaves

Fruit

Well done on completing this Plants Parts and Adaptations module!

Stem

Seeds

Roots

From roots and stems to leaves, flowers, and fruits, each part has a special role. You’ve also learned how different plants have amazing adaptations that help them survive in their environments. Well done on completing the plant exploration!