How plants perform the vital functions

Plant nutrition

Plants make their own food through a process called photosynthesis. During this process they take in carbon dioxide from the air and expel oxygen.

Plants also respire (breathe). They take oxygen from the air and expel carbon dioxide.

The roots absorb water and minerals from the ground.

The leaves absorb carbon dioxide

The leaves use solar energy to combine the substances and make food for the plant. This process is called photosynthesis. When plants perform photosynthesis, they produce oxygen and release it into the air.

Plants respire. They take oxygen from the air and expel carbon dioxide.

1 Writing. Look at the picture on this page. Explain the difference between photosynthesis and respiration.

2 Match the terms: a) Respiration b) Photosynthesis c) Absorption

1. They take in water and mineral salts through the roots.

2. They take in oxygen and release carbon dioxide.

3. They take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen.

Plant interaction

Plants can’t move about and they don’t have sense organs, but they do interact with their environment: they detect what is happening and react to changes.

Plant reproduction

Most plants reproduce through flowers. They produce fruits and seeds

An example of interaction in plants

You’re trapped!

Carnivorous plants detect when insects land on them. They close their leaves and trap them. And they do it really quickly!

From flower to fruit to seed

The pollen reaches the pistil of a flower.

The pistil changes shape.

The pistil changes into a fruit. Seeds form inside. Seeds fall to the ground. Each seed can form a new plant.

3 Listening. Listen to ‘Examples of plant interaction’ in the anayaeducacion.es resource bank and explain how the plants on the right react.

4 Complete these sentences: a) When the pollen reaches the … , this changes into a … b) … form inside the fruit. c) They form new ...