Creepers are those plants that have extended branches. These plants have weak stems and grow close to the ground. In addition, their stems are fragile, as they neither support their weight nor stand erect. Examples of creeper plants are pumpkin, sweet potato, watermelon, etc. 

Climbers are those plants that need support to grow. They have weak stems as well. The climber vines roll around the other structures in their proximity to grow smoothly. Such plants use their unique projections called tendrils to climb on other trees and structures.

Algae is a diverse group of plants. It can photosynthesis, making it a part of the plant family. (discussed later). You can spot algae floating on the water in ponds, rivers, etc. 

Mosses are little flowerless plants with no genuine vascular system. Mosses can't draw water or nutrients up from the ground, hence can't grow very large. They are distinguished from ferns and flowering plants by this trait.

Stem

A stem is called an axe of a vascular plant and is connected to the root. Together, the root and the stem are from the axes of a plant. The stem supports the leaves, flowers, and fruits and transports water from the roots. A stem is the central part of the plant and is typically robust in nature. Without a stem, no plant can survive. Stems can range from being thick to thin, depending on the type of plant. 

Leaf

Leaves are a primary part of plants that help in manufacturing food and carrying forward the process of photosynthesis. Most leaves are green in colour, owing to an element called chlorophyll. Leaves come in varied shapes, textures, sizes, and colours. Leaves of many herbs have medicinal properties.

Different parts of leaves

The leaves have many parts, but there are two main parts.  They are explained below:

• Leaf-blade: It makes the most of the leaf’s body—the flat and broad part is called the blade.. Such a blade is also called the lamina. 
• Petiole: It is that part of the leaf which connects the leaf blade with the stem. The petiole has tiny tubes.

Transpiration

Transpiration is the exhalation (releasing) of the water vapours from plants' stomata (special pores in leaf). When the temperature is extremely hot, water from the stem and roots travels upwards or is 'drawn' into the leaves to exhale out, thus cooling the plant. Plants release moisture into the air in large amounts with the help of this process.

Photosynthesis

Just like humans cook food, photosynthesis is how plants prepare their food for survival. In this process, they use available resources such as sunlight, water, carbon dioxide, etc., to convert light energy into chemical energy. Plants prepare their food for themselves. The process of photosynthesis only happens in plants with green leaves. 

Roots

Roots are the underground part of a plant that absorb water and minerals from the soil for distribution to other parts of the plant. Roots support the plants and help them store food. The roots mainly consist of two types: primary roots and secondary roots. The roots are made up of the dermal, ground, and vascular tissues. 

Types of roots

There are many types of roots. Some of them are mentioned below:

• Fibrous roots: These roots are found in monocot plants. These roots are mainly seen in herbs.
• Taproots: These roots are found in dicot plants. They are seen in large trees and shrubs. 
• Adventitious roots: These roots are also found in monocot plants and often grow from the non-root tissues of a plant (such as stem or leaf), especially during stressful scenarios such as floods or when harmed.

Flower

The flower is a reproducing part of the plant. The primary function of a flower is reproduction. The different parts of the flower are used for different functions. Flowers are also called bloom and blossom. 

Different parts of a flower and its functions

The flowers are mainly made up of four different parts: sepals, petals, male stigma, and the female style. The other parts of the flower are the ovary, pistil, anther, filament, stamen, ovule, receptacle, etc. Their functions are mentioned below:

• The primary function of a flower is to help with1 reproduction. The pollinators give pollen grains to the ovary, and then the embryo starts developing in it. 
• The flower is the base in the formation of seeds and fruit. 
• Flowers are bright in colour and vibrant, which helps in insect pollination. 

Seeds

Seeds produce a mother plant after pollination. The process of reproduction also considers the formation of seed. Seed plants have three components: leaves, stems, and roots. The seeds have mainly three parts:

• Plumule: It gives rise to the shoot.
• Radicle: It grows into the roots.
• Cotyledons: It provides nutrition to the plants. 

Food

Food is vital for every living being. Plants are considered living organisms, so food is essential for their growth, just like you. As you’ve already learnt, plants provide food to their different parts with the help of photosynthesis. After that, the plants give fruits and vegetables and other foods to living beings. 

Fruits that you enjoy develop from the flowers, and vegetables are the other edible parts of plants. Vegetables may include the shoots, leaves, and stems of plants.

‘Getting to Known Plants’ Chapter 6 is all about plants and living organisms. Plants are living organisms that are very important for the sustenance of life on Earth. We, the sentient beings, are dependent on plants for survival. This is why plants are considered the backbone of all living beings on Earth. The plants provide us with food, medicine, oxygen, and shelter. For more information, go to MSVGo website. It provides 15,000+ videos, 10,000+ questions bank, NCERT syllabus questions, Video solutions to Textbook question solutions mapped to all textbooks MSVGo Quiz, etc.

1. What is the function of stems?

The primary function of the stem is to provide support to the leaves and conduct water and minerals to the leaves of the plant.

2. What are the parts of a flower?

Flowers typically have four main parts: sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels. The male parts are called stamens, whereas the carpel is the female part of the flower. The other parts of the flower are the pistil, filament, anther, ovule, receptacle, etc.

3. Name the part of the plant which produces food. Name the process.

Leaves are that part of a plant that produces food. This process of creating food with the help of leaves is called photosynthesis. 

4. What are herbs?

Herbs are those plants that are smaller in size. They are leafy green plants. Herbs are used for making food, medicine, and perfumes. It has leaves, seeds, and flowers. Herbs are also referred to as herbaceous plants. 

5. In which part of the plant will you find the ovary?

The part of the flower called the pistil contains an ovary.