The part of a plant that anchors it in the soil is called the root. Roots take in water and nutrients for the plant.

Roots help to anchor the plant by placing it firmly in the soil.

To observe is to look very closely and use other senses too.

A nutrient is any substance that plants or animals need in order to live or grow.

Plants without roots

Science

In this What plants do and what they need unit, pupils learn about the part that flowers play in the life cycle of flowering plants. In the Reproduction and life cycles unit: plants, they will build on this knowledge to describe the life process of reproduction in some plants

In the Growing plants unit, pupils learnt that plants need water, light and a suitable temperature to grow and stay healthy. In this What plants do and what they need unit, pupils will build on this knowledge to explore a greater number of requirements of plants for life and growth and how they vary from plant to plant

What plants do and what they need

Physical activity and equipment requiring safe use

What do roots absorb that helps the plant to grow and stay healthy?

holding its flowers and leaves above the ground.

anchoring it in the soil and holding it upright.

Roots provide support for the plant by …

What is likely to happen to a plant without roots in very windy weather?

Because they can’t get the right amount of sunlight.

Because they can’t eat the soil that they need to stay healthy.

Because they can’t absorb the water and nutrients they need from the soil.

Why do plants with their roots removed struggle to survive?

We can {{}} a plant with its roots removed over time, to find out more about roots and their function.

Observe the plant every 5 minutes for an hour.

Observe the plant every three days for a fortnight.

Andeep is carrying out an observation over time investigation to see what will happen to plants that have had their roots removed. How often should he make observations?

Which of these pictures does **not** show a plant’s roots.

transporting water and nutrients to the leaves.

The functions of roots on a plant are anchoring it in the soil and …

make a prediction about what might happen to it.

Content guidance

Risk assessment required - equipment

Adult supervision required

Starter Quiz