How water is transported in plants | Science | Quizalize & Oak National Academy

Starter quiz

What is the name of this part of the plant?
- flower
- stem ✓
- leaf
- root
Which of these is not a plant stem?
- A
- B
- C
- D ✓
What does it mean to absorb something?
- to soak it up ✓
- to clean it up
- to release it into soil
The task, or purpose, of something is called its …
- classification.
- location.
- function. ✓
What are the functions of roots on a plant?
- absorbing water and nutrients from the soil ✓
- making food for the plant
- anchoring the plant in the soil ✓
- making the plant look nice
The function of leaves on a plant is to …
- anchor the plant in soil.
- support the plant and keep it upright.
- make food for the plant. ✓
- absorb water for the plant.

Exit quiz

How do plants get the water they need?
- their leaves collect it from the rain
- their flowers gather it when humans water the plant
- their roots absorb it from the soil ✓
The water that leaves and flowers need is transported to them from the root through the ______.
- 'stem' ✓
What are the functions of a stem?
- to transport water and nutrients around the plant ✓
- to absorb water and nutrients from the soil
- to make food for the plant
- to attract insects towards the plant
- to provide support for the plant ✓
Plants can be ___________ to find out more about how they change.
- given scientific names
- observed over time ✓
- sorted into groups
Jun left a celery stalk in water with some red dye. After a few hours, the leaves started to turn red. Why did this happen?
- The red water moved up through the stem to the leaves. ✓
- The leaves absorbed the red water from the glass.
- The plant absorbed the red dye from the air around it.
- Red dye must have been spilled on the leaves when the investigation was set.
Which of these statements is incorrect?
- Water is transported around the plant in the stem.
- The leaves and flowers of a plant need water.
- Water is absorbed from the soil by roots.
- Leaves absorb water to keep the plant healthy. ✓

Worksheet

Presentation

Video

Lesson Details

Key learning points

Plants use their roots to absorb the water they need from the soil.
The functions of a stem are to provide support for the plant and to transport water and nutrients.
Water travels from the roots, up the stem to the leaves and flowers.
Changes in plants can be observed over time.

Common misconception

Pupils may think that water is taken into the plant through the leaves or flowers, due to the way water can sometimes be seen pooling there after rain.

Use the slide deck and lesson activities to support pupils’ understanding that water is absorbed by the roots of a plant, then transported via the stem, and that the flowers and leaves are not able to take in water.

Keywords

Roots - The part of a plant that anchors it in the soil is called the root. Roots take in water and nutrients for the plant.
Stem - The stem of a plant supports the leaves and flowers.
Absorb - To absorb is to soak something up.
Transport - To transport something is to move it from one place to another.
Observe - To observe is to look very closely and use other senses too.