The Amazing World of Plant Stems

The Amazing World of Plant Stems

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson, you will be able to identify the parts of the stem and understand their importance in plant propagation in horticulture.

What do you already know about plant stems?

What is a Stem?

The stem is the structural centre of the plant that carries water and nutrients to different parts of the plant. It also provides support and keeps the plant standing upright.

Function 1: Support

Stems help support the weight of leaves, flowers, and fruits, keeping them in the light for growth and photosynthesis.

Function 2: Transport

Stems transport water, nutrients, and fluids between the roots and the upper parts of the plant through the xylem and phloem.

Function 3: Storage of Nutrients

Stems have tissue called the meristem, which contains dividing cells. These cells produce new living tissue and help distribute vital nutrients throughout the plant.

Identifying Stem Parts

The main parts of a stem are the nodes, internodes, buds, and vascular bundles. These parts play important roles in plant propagation in horticulture.

Node and Internode

The node is the point on a stem where leaves, buds, and branches originate. The internode is the segment between two nodes.

Buds and Vascular Bundles

Buds are undeveloped shoots that can grow into new branches or flowers. Vascular bundles are groups of xylem and phloem tissues responsible for transport.

What is the main function of the stem?

1. Reproduction
2. Transport
3. Support
4. Storage of nutrients

What does the stem transport between the roots and upper parts of the plant?

1. Nutrients
2. Sunlight
3. Fluids
4. Water

Which part of the stem contains dividing cells for new tissue production?

1. Leaves
2. Xylem
3. Phloem
4. Meristem

What does the stem help support?

1. Fruits
2. Flowers
3. Roots
4. Leaves

What is the stem's role in photosynthesis?

1. Keeping leaves in the light
2. Producing oxygen

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.