Lesson 1 of 4 · Grade 4 Science and Technology
Plants and their parts
15 min
Plants are living things. They grow, need water and air, and make their own food.
Parts of a plant
- Roots: hold the plant firmly in the soil and absorb water and mineral salts.
- Stem: holds the plant upright and carries water from the roots to the leaves.
- Leaves: make food for the plant using sunlight. This process is called photosynthesis.
- Flowers: help the plant to reproduce. They develop into fruits.
- Fruits: protect the seeds.
Types of plants
- Flowering plants: maize, beans, mango, hibiscus.
- Non-flowering plants: ferns, mosses, pine (cypress) trees.
Uses of plants
- Food: maize, beans, kale (sukuma wiki), fruits
- Medicine: aloe vera, neem (mwarubaini)
- Building materials: timber, grass for thatching
- Fresh air: plants give out oxygen
Key points to remember
- Roots absorb water; stems carry it up
- Leaves make food by photosynthesis
- Flowers develop into fruits that hold seeds
- Ferns and mosses are non-flowering plants
Test yourself
