Seeds and Plants

What is a seed and how does it grow?

A seed is the part of the plant that produces the next plant. Think of it like a baby or a pre-baby—an embryo; it grows from a small creature into an adult than can then produce more seeds aka babies/embryos.

Seeds need warmth and moisture to grow. They do not need light. They also need food. Depending on the species, the seed’s energy comes from either coytledon or endosperm, both things that provide essential nutrients for the seed to jumpstarts its young life.

Seed becomes Plant!

Once the seed sprouts and emerges from the soil it starts the process of photosynthesis-turning the sun’s energy into food it can use to grow.

http://bbg-aura.gaia.com/photos/56/551205/large/seed-sprout-424_1_.jpg

Components of a Plant

http://www.uic.edu/classes/bios/bios100/summer2005/plantbod.gif

• Seeds

• Roots

• Stems

• Flowers

• Fruits

• Leaves

Seeds

Seeds produce plants! Plants put vital nutrients into seeds to ensure the next generation of plants.

What foods are seeds? Lots! Popcorn, peas, coffee beans,

beans. Seeds are high in protein and are the

best source of non-meat protein for humans.

http://hopeseeds.org/images/seed.jpg

Roots Roots anchor plants, absorb water and

nutrients, and store nutrients

What foods are roots? Carrots, radishes, potatoes, onions

(root vegetables) They offer a good source of complex

carbohydrates which give us long term energy.

http://www.biodiversityexplorer.org/plants/apiaceae/images/enb07436x_carrots.jpg

Stems

Stems are like our skeleton; they help plants stand tall and strong. They carry water and nutrients to the rest of the plant from the roots.

What foods are stems? Celery, sugar cane, asparagus They provide us with a good source

of fiber

http://fotosa.ru/ru/stock/search.asp?ID=2570461

Flowers

Flowers form seeds

What flowers are foods? Broccoli, cauliflower Provide humans with lots of nutrients

http://tinyfarmblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/fal2007_broccoli_vs_cauliflower.jpg

Fruits

Fruits hold and protect seeds

What foods are fruits? Lots! Apples, tomatoes, cucumbers,

strawberries, oranges Fruits contain tons of vitamins that

help keep us healthy

http://www.biteofthebest.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_Baby-Vegetable-Basket_2.jpg

Leaves

Leaves absorb the sun’s energy and turn it into food the plant can use to grow

What foods are leaves? Lettuce, basil, kale Offer us lots of nutrients to make us

healthy

http://verdavivocooks.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/kale.jpg

Work Cited

Health Foods from Healthy Soils by Elizabeth Patten and Kathy Lyons

Pictures have source underneath photo

PowerPoint created by Robin Lewis, Environmental Studies Intern, Whitman College Spring 2010