6th Grade Science

Chapter 11 Plants

Notes Section

11.3

San Rafael Falls, Ecuador

• What function do leaves serve?• Leaves are organs in which photosynthesis takes

place.• What function to stems serve?• Stems support leaves, branches, and contain

vascular tissue.

Key Questions 1

Sequoia National Park, California

 Hall of Mosses, Olympic National Park, Washington

Briers on the stem help protect the rose bushes.

Large tree trunk base to anchor this Cypress Tree, Louisiana

Baobab Tree, Africa stores water in its large tree trunk.

• What are the two types of stems?• Plant stems are either herbaceous (soft and

green) or woody (rigid and brown).• What function do roots serve?• Roots absorb water and nutrients from the soil.

Key Questions 2

The Tadpole Galaxy

Herbaceous stems, tulips

Woody Stem - General Sherman is a Giant Sequoia with a height of 275 ft. As of 2002, the volume of its trunk measured about 52,513 cu ft, making it the largest tree by volume. The tree is located in California. The tree is believed to be between 2,300 and 2,700 years old.

Angkor tree roots, Cambodia

Mangrove swamp, Florida

• What three tissues make up the vascular system of a seed plant?

• Xylem- transports water and minerals, Phloem- transports sugar, Cambium- produces xylem and phloem.

• What are the characteristics of a gymnosperm?• A gymnosperm is a vascular plant that produces

seeds that are not protected by fruit.

Key Questions 3

The Sombrero Galaxy

• What types of cones do conifers produce?• Conifers are gymnosperms that produce male

and female cones.• What are the characteristics of a angiosperm?• An angiosperm is a vascular plant that flowers

and produces fruits with one or more seeds. The diet of most animals are based on angiosperms.

Key Questions 4

male pine cone (bottom) female pine cone (top)

Monocot family – Corn, Rice, Wheat, Bananas, Pineapple, Coconut

Dicot Family - Apples

1. List four characteristics common to all seed plants.2. Compare and contrast the characteristics of

gymnosperms and angiosperms.3. Classify a flower with five petals as a monocot or a dicot.4. Explain why the roots system might be the largest part of

a plant.5. The cuticle and epidermis of leaves are transparent. If

they weren’t, what might be the result?

Questions Section 11.3