The stem of a plant performs the following three important functions:
1. Support
- The stem provides structural support to the plant, holding up the leaves, flowers, and fruits.
- It acts as a framework that allows the plant to grow upright and maintain its shape.
The stem’s strength and rigidity, provided by the vascular tissues and supporting tissues - like collenchyma and sclerenchyma, help the plant withstand the forces of gravity and wind.
2. Transport
- The stem serves as a transportation system, carrying water and dissolved nutrients (xylem) from the roots to the leaves and other aboveground parts of the plant.
- It also transports the food (photosynthates) produced in the leaves downward to the roots and other parts of the plant (phloem).
- The vascular tissues (xylem and phloem) running through the stem facilitate this essential transport function.
3. Storage
- The stem can store various substances, such as food reserves, water, and other metabolites, that the plant can use as needed.
- Some plants have specialized stems (e.g., rhizomes, tubers, bulbs) that serve as storage organs, allowing the plant to survive adverse conditions and regrow in the next growing season.
- The parenchyma cells in the stem provide the necessary storage capacity for these reserve materials.
These three key functions support, transport, and storage performed by the stem are crucial for the overall growth, development, and survival of the plant.
Other questions
What is difference between sexual and asexual reproduction.
What will happen if we add a few drops of NaOH solution in NA2CO3