Living World of Plants Lesson with Examples

Lesson Overview

• What Makes Plants Living Things?
• Parts of a Plant and Their Functions
• The Role of Roots: Fixation and Absorption
• Water and Sunlight: The Plant's Basic Needs
• Photosynthesis: How Plants Make Food
• Earth's Surface and the Importance of Water
• Plant Habitats: From Deserts to Oceans
• Aquatic Plants: Living in Water
• The Importance of Soil for Plants
• Life Beneath the Surface: Soil Organisms
• Plants and the Environment
• Why Are Plants So Important to People?

Plants are everywhere-growing in gardens, floating in ponds, climbing up buildings, and covering forests and fields. While they may look quiet and still, plants are full of life. They breathe, grow, eat, drink, and even protect other living things. 

Plants are essential to life on Earth, not just for animals and people, but also for the air, water, and soil. Let's take a look at what makes plants living things, how they function, where they live, and why they're so important to the planet.

What Makes Plants Living Things?

Plants, just like animals, are living organisms. That means they:

• Grow and change over time
  
• Reproduce to make more plants
  
• Respond to their environment (like turning toward sunlight)
  
• Take in nutrients and water
  
• Use energy to live and grow
  

Even though they don't walk or talk, plants are alive because they carry out all the basic life processes. One special thing that makes plants different from animals is their ability to make their own food through a process called photosynthesis, which happens in their leaves.

Parts of a Plant and Their Functions

Each part of a plant works like a team to help the whole plant stay healthy and alive. Let's look at what each part does:

Just like your body has organs that work together, each part of a plant has an important job that helps it survive.

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Plants MCQ Quiz - Multiple Choice Questions Answers

The Role of Roots: Fixation and Absorption

Roots are the underground part of the plant, and they play two vital roles:

1. Fixation: Roots hold the plant firmly in place so it doesn't get blown away by the wind or washed away by rain. This gives the plant a strong foundation.
   
2. Absorption: Roots soak up water and nutrients from the soil. These are carried up through the stem to reach other parts of the plant.
   

Roots often grow tiny root hairs, which increase the surface area to help absorb more water and minerals.

Water and Sunlight: The Plant's Basic Needs

Just like humans need food and water to stay healthy, plants need sunlight, water, air, and nutrients from the soil to survive.

• Water helps plants stay upright and carry nutrients through their stems.
  
• Sunlight provides energy for making food through photosynthesis.
  
• Soil nutrients give the plant minerals to grow stronger.
  
• Air provides carbon dioxide, which is used in food-making.
  

If a plant does not get enough of any of these, it may become weak, wilted, or even die.

Photosynthesis: How Plants Make Food

Plants are special because they make their own food. This process is called photosynthesis, and it mostly happens in the leaves.

Here's how it works:

• The plant takes in carbon dioxide from the air.
  
• The roots absorb water from the soil.
  
• The leaves collect sunlight.
  
• These ingredients are combined to create glucose (sugar), which gives the plant energy.
  
• As a bonus, oxygen is released into the air.
  

This is why plants are so important-they feed themselves and help us breathe.

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Wide World of Plants Quiz

Earth's Surface and the Importance of Water

About 75% of Earth's surface is covered with water. Most of it is in oceans, but there are also rivers, lakes, ponds, and underground water sources.

Water supports all living things, including plants. It:

• Helps transport nutrients
  
• Keeps plants hydrated
  
• Is essential for photosynthesis
  

Some plants even live completely in water! These are known as aquatic plants.

Plant Habitats: From Deserts to Oceans

Plants grow in almost every environment on Earth. The place where a plant lives is called its habitat. Depending on the climate, water supply, and soil type, plants develop special features to survive.

Each plant's habitat shapes how it looks and behaves.

Aquatic Plants: Living in Water

Aquatic plants live either floating on water, submerged under it, or rooted in the bottom of ponds and lakes.

One common aquatic plant is the water hyacinth:

• It has spongy leaves that let it float.
  
• Its roots hang in the water, absorbing nutrients directly.
  
• It grows quickly and can cover the surface of a pond.
  

Aquatic plants are important because they provide oxygen, food, and shelter for fish and insects in the water.

The Importance of Soil for Plants

Soil is more than just dirt. It's a mixture of sand, clay, silt, water, air, and organic matter (dead plants and animals).

Soil helps plants by:

• Holding them in place
  
• Providing nutrients
  
• Storing water
  
• Supporting root systems
  

Different plants grow better in different types of soil. The best soil for most plants is loam, which is rich, dark, and holds just the right amount of water.

Life Beneath the Surface: Soil Organisms

Soil is home to many tiny creatures that help plants stay healthy.

These organisms recycle nutrients, so plants can grow strong and healthy.

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CLASS 6 :SCIENCE: THE LIVING WORLD OF PLANTS

Plants and the Environment

Plants are like the Earth's caretakers. They help the environment in many ways:

• Clean the air by taking in carbon dioxide and giving out oxygen
  
• Hold the soil in place with their roots to prevent erosion
  
• Provide shade and lower temperatures
  
• Give food and shelter to insects, birds, and animals
  
• Absorb rainwater, reducing floods
  

Without plants, the Earth would be dry, bare, and lifeless.

Why Are Plants So Important to People?

Plants provide the things we need to live every day.

They also add beauty and peace to our lives with flowers, forests, and gardens.