Question
A plant has four main parts — roots, stem, leaves, and flowers. For each part, state one main function and explain how that function helps the plant survive.
(NCERT Class 6, Chapter 7 — Getting to Know Plants)
Solution — Step by Step
Roots anchor the plant in the soil and absorb water and minerals from it. Without this, the plant would literally fall over and starve — no water means no photosynthesis, no food.
Some plants like carrots also store food in their roots, which is why we eat them.
The stem does two jobs at once: it supports the plant (holds leaves up toward light) and acts as a pipe system, carrying water up from roots and food down from leaves.
Think of it like a building’s skeleton plus its plumbing — both in one structure.
Leaves are where photosynthesis happens. They trap sunlight using chlorophyll (the green pigment), combine it with CO₂ from air and water from roots, and make glucose — the plant’s food.
The flat shape maximises surface area for catching maximum sunlight.
Flowers are the plant’s reproductive organs. They produce pollen (male) and contain ovules (female). After pollination, the ovule develops into a seed, which grows into a new plant.
Bright colours and fragrance attract insects and birds to help with pollination — the flower is essentially advertising itself.
Why This Works
Each part of a plant solves a specific survival problem. Roots solve the resource problem (getting water and nutrients from soil). The stem solves the distribution problem (moving those resources around). Leaves solve the energy problem (making food using sunlight). Flowers solve the continuation problem (making sure the species survives through reproduction).
This division of labour is why plants are so successful — every part has a clear job, and they all work together. When you study this for your board exam, think of the plant as a small factory: raw materials come in through roots, get transported via stem, get processed into food in leaves, and the output (seeds) leave through flowers.
Board exams often ask “Name the part responsible for X function.” Memorise this table:
| Function | Part |
|---|---|
| Absorb water & minerals | Root |
| Transport water & food | Stem |
| Prepare food (photosynthesis) | Leaf |
| Reproduction | Flower |
This exact format has appeared in Class 6 SA1 papers across CBSE schools.
Alternative Method
Instead of memorising by part → function, try memorising by where in the plant it is:
- Underground = roots = absorption + anchorage
- Middle, vertical = stem = support + transport
- Side branches, flat = leaves = photosynthesis + transpiration
- Top, colourful = flower = reproduction
This spatial memory trick works well because you can visualise the whole plant at once. Many students find this faster to recall during exams under time pressure.
Common Mistake
Students often write “stem stores food” as a function of the stem. This is wrong for most plants. The stem transports food — it does not store it. Food is made in leaves and stored in roots (like carrot, radish) or in specialised structures. If a question asks for the main function of the stem, always write support and transport, not storage.