Plant Growth and Needs

Grade 2 · Science · Study Guide

Discover what plants need to grow and how they make their own food.

Plants are living things that grow almost everywhere on Earth. To stay alive and grow, plants need a few important things: sunlight, water, air, and nutrients from the soil.

Plants use sunlight to make their own food. This amazing process is called photosynthesis. During photosynthesis, plants take in water through their roots, absorb carbon dioxide from the air through tiny holes in their leaves, and use energy from the sun to turn these ingredients into sugar. The sugar gives the plant energy to grow.

Water is very important to plants. Roots soak up water from the soil and carry it up through the stem to all parts of the plant. Without enough water, a plant will wilt and may die.

Sunlight is also essential. Plants need sunlight to make food. Plants that do not get enough light will become pale and grow slowly or not at all.

The soil provides nutrients, which are like vitamins for plants. Nutrients help plants grow strong stems, healthy leaves, and beautiful flowers.

Plants have many important parts. The roots hold the plant in the ground and absorb water. The stem supports the plant and carries water to the leaves. Leaves capture sunlight for photosynthesis. Flowers help the plant make seeds, and seeds can grow into new plants.

Different plants grow in different places because they are adapted to get what they need in their environment.

Key terms

photosynthesis: The process plants use to make food using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide from the air
roots: The underground parts of a plant that absorb water and nutrients from the soil
stem: The part of a plant that supports it and carries water from the roots to the leaves
nutrients: Materials in soil that help plants grow strong and healthy
carbon dioxide: A gas in the air that plants take in to use during photosynthesis
germinate: When a seed begins to sprout and grow into a new plant

Flashcards

photosynthesis: How plants make food using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide
roots: Underground plant parts that absorb water and nutrients from the soil
stem: Supports the plant and carries water from roots to leaves
leaf: The flat green part of a plant that captures sunlight for photosynthesis
nutrients: Materials in soil that help plants grow healthy
seed: A tiny package containing everything needed to grow a new plant
germinate: When a seed starts to sprout and grow into a plant
sunlight: The energy from the sun that plants need to make food

Questions

What four things do plants need to grow?
1. Sunlight, water, air, and soil nutrients
2. Rain, wind, darkness, and ice
3. Sunlight, sand, salt water, and fire
4. Soil, snow, oxygen, and animals
Show answer
Answer: Sunlight, water, air, and soil nutrients
Plants need sunlight for energy, water to carry nutrients, air (carbon dioxide) for photosynthesis, and soil nutrients to grow strong.
Plants make their own food through a process called photosynthesis.
Show answer
Answer: True
Photosynthesis is the process where plants use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide from the air to make their own food (sugar).
The part of a plant that absorbs water from the soil is called the ________.
Show answer
Answer: roots
Roots grow underground and soak up water and nutrients from the soil, then send them up through the stem to the rest of the plant.
What happens to a plant that does not get enough water?
1. It grows faster
2. It turns blue
3. It wilts and may die
4. It makes more flowers
Show answer
Answer: It wilts and may die
Without enough water, a plant cannot carry out photosynthesis or keep its cells full. It will droop (wilt) and eventually die.
Plants can grow perfectly well in complete darkness.
Show answer
Answer: False
Plants need sunlight to make food through photosynthesis. Without light, they cannot produce energy and will not survive.

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