LIVING THINGS

• The term living thing refers to things that are now or once were alive
• A living thing pertains to any organism or a life form that possesses or shows the characteristics of life or being alive

PLANTS

• Plants are living things.
• The grouping of plants together with common characteristics or features is called the classification of plants.

TYPES OF PLANTS

Identifying different types of plants

Pupil’s activity Page 1

To observe the different types of plants

Pupil’s activity Page 1

To identify different types of plants found in the locality

Pupil’s activity Page 2-3

Types of plants found in the locality

1. Trees
2. Are big plants
3. They have single stem called trunk and many strong branches
4. Examples of tress include mango, coconut and avocado trees

• Shrubs
• Are shorter than tress
• They have many thin and woody stems
• Examples of shrubs include hibiscus, rose and cotton plants

• Shrubs
• Are small plants with soft green stems
• Examples of herbs include mint and coriander

• Grass
• Is short and has narrow leaves

Parts of a Plant

Identifying different parts of a plant

To name different parts of a plant

Pupil’s activity Page 3

To identify different parts of plants growing in the environment

Pupil’s activity Page 3-4

To draw different parts of a plant

Pupil’s activity Page 5

• The external parts of a plant include
  • Roots
  • Stem
  • Leaves
  • Flowers
  • Fruits 6.

Functions of different parts of a plant

To discuss the functions of different parts of a plant Pupil’s activity

Page 6

Part of a plant	Function
Leaves
Stem
Fruits
Seeds
Flowers

Functions of the roots

1. Support/hold/anchor the plant firmly in the soil

The roots absorb water and mineral salts from soil through a process called absorption Plants need water and mineral salts for proper growth

• Absorption of water and mineral salts

The roots hold the plants firmly in the soil

This ensures that the plants are not carried away by water or wind

• Food storage

Some plants such as arrowroots, cassava and carrots store food in the roots

Functions of the stem Stem –

1. Transports water and mineral salts from the roots to the leaves Carries food made by the leaves to the roots for storage
2. Holds or supports the upper parts of the plant in good position
3. Protects the plant
4. Storage of water- some plants such as a cactus store water in the stem
5. Some stems store food and water for the plant

N.B. Plants that store food in the stem are called stem tubers. Examples of plants that store food in the stem are: a) Cactus b) Sugar cane c) Irish potato

To investigate the absorption and transport of water and mineral salts in a plant

Pupil’s activity Page 7-8

Free Grade 6 Science And Technology Lesson Notes

 

Functions of the leaves

1. Breathing – Exchange of gases through small tiny holes called stomata.

• Manufacture of food

Leaves make food for the plant using chlorophyll, sunlight, water and carbon (IV) oxide through a process called Photosynthesis – Process of making its own food Requirements of photosynthesis are:- Chlorophyll – green colouring matter Water Carbon dioxide Sunlight

• Storage of food – Edible vegetables such as kales, cabbages, spinach

• Removal of excess water through transpiration

Transpiration – Process in which plants lose excess water through small holes called stomata. Transpiration is high when it is hot, sunny, dry, windy. It is low when it’s cold, wet, calm and rainy.

Function of flowers

• Flowers are the reproductive organs of plants
• They develop into fruits
• It bears fruits which contains seeds that germinate into a new plant Seeds germinate into new young plants called seedlings

Function of fruits

1. Storage of food

Some plants like avocados, mangos and orange store food in fruits

• Protecting seeds

In most plants, seeds are found inside fruits The fruits protect the seeds from drying

Functions of seeds

When seeds germinate, they grow into new plants

To investigate transpiration in plants

Pupil’s activity Page 9

Making mounts of plants

Pupils activities  Page 10-11

TYPES OF ROOTS

There are two main types of roots

1. Tap root – extension of stem with side roots
2. Fibrous roots-many similar roots

To observe taproots and fibrous roots

Taproots	Fibrous roots
They consist of one main root that grows down into the soil They have lateral roots that arise from the main root	They do not have a main root All roots are similar and they arise from the same place
They grow deep into the soil	They are shallow
They grow vertically downwards into soil	They grow horizontally in all directions
Plants with tap roots include:- Legumes, Acacia, Fruit trees,	Plants with fiirous roots include:- Cereals, Oats, Grass, Sisal, Onions, Sugarcane, Coconuts

Grouping plants based on the type of roots they have

Pupil’s activity Page 16

Other types of roots

Other types of roots include:

1. Aerial roots – for breathing
2. Prop roots – used in maize for support