The Structures and Functions of Plant Part - I

Many plants do not have a main root instead, they have a cluster of fine roots, which come out from the base of the stem. These roots are called fibrous roots or adventitious roots. Cabbage has tap root.

Nodes are the points on the stem from which leaves and branches arise. The portion of the stem between two nodes is called an internode.  

Rope like roots hanging from the branches of banyan trees are called prop roots. When these roots reach the soil, they act like pillars supporting the heavy branches of the tree. 

Bud is a condensed shoot with the young stem, leaves or flowers crowded together. Cabbages are the largest buds. 

Radish, carrot, and turnip have tap roots, which are modified to store food.

In some plants, a main root grows almost vertically down into the soil and many branches and sub-branches come out from soil. Such roots are called tap roots.

In some plants, a main root grows almost vertically down into the soil. It is broad near the base of the stem and tapers towards the tip or apex.

Food is manufactured by green leaves of the plants as they contain chlorophyll, a green pigment that traps sunlight and synthesise food. 

Potatoes are tubers. Tubers are almost spherical and do not have distinct nodes and internodes.

Water and minerals are absorbed by the roots of a plant. 

In climbers of the ground family and passion flower, some axillary buds develop into coiled structures called tendrils. These tendrils twine around some support like a post or a tree and help the plant for climbing. 

In plants like strawberry, mint, and chrysanthemum,  the stem is modified in order to produce new plants. 

Ginger and turmeric roots are called rhizomes. Rhizomes are branched, and have marked nodes and internodes. 

Prop roots of banyan tree like pillars support the heavy branches of the tree. Thus, they give support to the plant. 

The wide, flat, green portion of the leaf is called the lamina or the leaf blade. 

Bark is the outer covering of the stem and protects the stem from harsh conditions. 

Roots of a rose plant do not store food. Radish, carrot, and turnip have tap roots that are modified to store food. Dahlia and mango have fibrous roots, which are also modified to store food.

The stem of a cactus plant is modified to perform the functions of leaves, and leaves are modified into spines to prevent loss of water through transpiration.

Both onion and garlic are bulbs. The stem of the bulb is condensed into a flat disc. Ginger and turmeric are rhizomes and potato is a tuber.

Some plants with weak stems produce supporting roots, which help to climb. These roots are called climbing roots. The roots of Betal, money plant are the examples of such roots.

Banyan tree has rope-like roots hanging the branches of banyan trees. They are called the prop roots because they prop up the branches or give them support.