CHARACTERISTICS OF PLANT

1. 1. A plant is a living organism. It is made up of different parts, each of which has specialized
function. Not all parts of plant need function properly. If one part is not functioning properly
the whole plant will suffer. The basic parts of a plant is the Root System and Shoot System.
The Root System usually underground. It anchor the plant in the soil, absorb water and
nutrients, conduct water and nutrients, and food storage. Whereas the Shoot System usually
above the ground. Consist of the stem, the leaves, flower, and fruit. The function of shoot
system are elevates the plant above the soil, photosynthesis, reproduction and dispersal,
and then food and water conduction. 1. Root The root system is underground part of the
plant. The function of the root include : a. Holds a plant erect and in one place. b. Holds a
plant firmly to the soil. c. Absorb water and minerals from the soil and pass them to the plant.
d. Store food for some plant.
2. 3. 2. Stem The plant stem is a component of the shoot system. The function of stem include :
a) Stem Support. It supports the leaves, flowers and fruits and connects them with the roots.
b) Stem Conduct. It conducts water, nutrients and the products of photosynthesis to and from
roots and leaves. It accommodates the transport system which is necessary for the vertical
and lateral movement of water and sap within the plant body. c) Stem Store. It helps store
water as in cacti, and store the products of photosynthesis, as in the trunk of sago palm
(Metroxylon sagu) and sweet palm (Arenga pinnata) which store large stock of starch; d)
Stem produce new living tissue. The plant stem serves as a means of asexual reproduction
in many plant species. 3. Leaves The plant leaves are the part of the shoot system which
serves as the chief food producing organ in most vascular plants. The function of leaves are :
a. Photosyntesis. This is the process of producing food of the plant. This process essentially
involves the absorption of light mainly by the chlorophyll pigments, to turn water (H2O) and
carbon dioxide gas (CO2) into sugar and oxygen gas (O2). b. Transpiration. It is process of
the loss of water through the leaves via stomata and cuticle. c. Gas Exchange. These
process take place in stomata. This is open and close to regulate the passage of gases to
and from the leaves.
3. 4. 4. Flower Flower is component of the shoot system. The flower contains the reproductive
organs, and has function to produce seeds. The stamens produce the male sex cells, which
are carried in the pollen grains. The carpel produces the female sex cells, or ovules. After
fertilization, portions of the flower develop into a fruit containing the seeds. 5. Fruits The fruit
is in fact described as a reproductive organ of plants just like the flower and seed. The fruit is
mature, ripened ovary that contains the seeds and protects them while they are developing.
The main function of the fruits are : a. Fruits protect the seeds. The fruit serves as a physical
barrier between the seed and the external environment during seed development. The
developing fruits (ovary) promote ovule or seed development by preventing dessication and
ensuring moist environment for the embryo. In addition, the pericarp or fruit wall hinders easy
access to seeds by some insects and other herbivores. Some fruits also contain toxic
substances or the outer exocarp is supplied with thorny projections which serve as anti
herbivory defenses. b. Fruits aid in the dispersal of mature seeds. Wind, water, animals, and
explosions help disperse some seeds. Seed dispersal importance of colonization, survival of
species, wildlife preservation, community structure (assemblages of plants and animals),
global climate, and environmental quality.