Plants and their parts: Stems

Question 1

What does the stem of a plant do?

Answer 1

Helps to support the plant. It holds the leaves up so that they can get sunlight to make food.

Question 2

Where is the food made by the leaves stored?

Answer 2

In the stems of some plants such as potato, ginger and sugar cane.

Question 3

Give some examples of stems that can store food?

Answer 3

Potato, ginger and sugar cane.

Question 4

How can stems be classified?

Answer 4

1. Stems that grow straight up and are strong
2. Stems that are weak and that climb up other plants for support.
3. Stems that are weak and creep along the ground.

Question 5

Where can stems be found?

Answer 5

Usually ABOVE the ground. However some stems are found under the ground and are called underground stems.

Question 6

What is the stem of a tree called?

Answer 6

Trunk

Question 7

What are the trunk and branches of trees protected by?

Answer 7

An outer covering called bark.

Question 8

How can stems be classified?

Answer 8

1. Growing above the soil surface (aerial stems) or growing under the soil surface (underground stems)
2. Strong stems or weak stems
3. Woody stems (i.e. have a protective outer covering called the bark) or non-woody stems.