LM 7:

Mt. Carmel School of Polillo

GENERAL BIOLOGY
Polillo, Quezon
II

LEARNING MODULE 7

Plant and Animal Organ

Systems and their
Functions
Part 1

MODULE COVERAGE:
In this module, you are able to learn more about how plants and animals are similar and different from one another -
Lesson 1: Plant Forms – their Organs and their Functions

EXPECTED SKILLS:
To do well in this module, you need to remember and do the following:
1. Read the instructions very carefully before starting anything.
2. Complete all the activities/worksheets. Follow instructions. Communicate to your teacher for
clarification of concepts.
3. Allow time for relaxation and recreation when you are mentally tired. Make a time table to
schedule your study and recreation or you may use the suggested schedule given by your
teacher.
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PRE-ASSESSMENT
Write TRUE if the statement is correct and FALSE if incorrect

_________ 1. Plants organs can also be seen in animals and vice versa.
_________ 2. Flowers are the reproductive part of plants.
_________ 3. Plant organs are within the root system and shoot system.
_________ 4. Plants get their important minerals only from the roots.
_________ 5. The shoot system has something to do with photosynthesis.

Module 7: Plant and Organ Systems and their Functions

Lesson 1: Plant forms – their Organs and their Functions
Introduction:
After learning the types of cells, we have determined that a group of cells may constitute now a tissue, and when
 LM 7:
Mt. Carmel School of Polillo
GENERAL BIOLOGY
Polillo, Quezon
II
tissues aggregate together they form an organ. Both plants and animals have different form and organs, as well as their
functions. However, even they are of different types of organisms, they somewhat share some similarities if not in forms or
organs, but in functions. Let us first take a look of plant forms, organs, and their functions.

LET’S LEARN
F Look at the following figures showing the forms of plants -

Figure 7.1. Figure 7.2

Modified roots or specialized roots – these are roots that perform special functions because we learn that roots are for
absorption of important minerals and other substances from the soil. Following are different modified roots –

PROP ROOTS an adventitious root that supports the plant. Example in corn.

Prop roots of corn (Zea mays L.)

Figure 7.3.

STORAGE ROOTS, such as carrots, beets, and sweet potatoes, are

examples of roots that are specially modified for storage of starch and
water.

Figure 7.4.

STRANGLING AERIAL ROOTS – these are abundant aerial roots that usually
wrapped around the trunk and limbs of a tree.

Figure 7.5
 LM 7:
Mt. Carmel School of Polillo
GENERAL BIOLOGY
Polillo, Quezon
II

Figure 7.6.

Buttress roots are large, wide roots on all sides of a shallowly rooted tree. 

Figure 7.7.

Pneumatophore roots. (in mangroves and other swamp plants) an aerial

root specialized for gaseous exchange

There are three basic plant organs – Roots, Stems, and Leaves.

Root is an organ that anchors a vascular plant usually in the soil

- Basic function is to absorb water and important minerals , and often stores organic nutrients
- There are two types of root systems –(a) Tap root system, that is present to all dicot plants and the (b) Fibrous
root system present to all monocot plants.
- Tap root system consists of one main vertical root with secondary and tertiary roots arising from it.
- Fibrous root system, a mat of thin roots generally spread out below the surface of the soil, with no root
outstanding as the main one. This is shallower than the tap root system.
- Root hairs are the extensions of a root epidermis (the protective cell of a plant surface)
- Some modified roots provide support and anchorage while others store water and nutrients.

Stem is an organ consisting of nodes, the points where leaves usually attached to it.
- Internodes are the stem segments between nodes
- Auxiliary bud is a structure that has a potential to form a lateral shoot commonly called as branch

Modified Stems, stems that function other than its main function. Modified stems that grow horizontally underground are
either rhizomes, from which vertical shoots grow, or fleshier, food-storing corms. The stem modification that has enlarged
fleshy leaves emerging from the stem or surrounding the base of the stem is called a bulb; it is also used to store food.

Figure 7.8.

Stolons are stems which grow at the soil surface or just

below ground that form adventitious roots at the nodes, and
new plants from the buds. Stolons are often called runners.

Figure 7.9

Bulbs. These are underground stems are storage containers for the plant.

Figure 7.10.

Tubers are usually short and thickened and typically grow below the soil.
 LM 7:
Mt. Carmel School of Polillo
GENERAL BIOLOGY
Polillo, Quezon
II

Leaves are the photosynthetic organ in most vascular plants

- Consists of the following are blade and stalk and a petiole which joins the leaf to a node of a stem
- Monocot and dicot leaves differ in the arrangement of veins
- Parts of a leaf: A leaf may seem simple in appearance, but it is a highly-efficient structure. Petioles, stipules,
veins, and a midrib are all essential structures of a leaf.
-

Figure 7.11

Parts of a Leaf

- the arrangement of veins in a leaf is called the venation pattern; monocots have parallel venation, while dicots
have reticulate venation.
- the arrangement of leaves on a stem is known as phyllotaxy; leaves can be classified as either alternate, spiral,
opposite, or whorled.

Figure 7.12

Phyllotaxy

Modified leaves in the form of spines that reduce water loss and also act as a defense. Some are modified into tendrils to
provide support to the plant. Some leaves are thick that help in water storage. Some are modified to catch and digest
insects.

bracts
spines

Water &mineral trapping Storage leaves

For reproduction
leaves

Activity 7.1.1. Determine the function of each modified leaf shown above and describe each.

There are Three Tissue System present in Plants:

1. Dermal Tissue
 LM 7:
Mt. Carmel School of Polillo
GENERAL BIOLOGY
Polillo, Quezon
II
2. Vascular Tissue
3. Ground Tissue

Activity 7.1.2.
Research and Make a comprehensive outline of the three-tissue system in plants. Use additional sheet of paper if
necessary.

References:
A. Guides: General Biology 2, Teachers Guide, pdf.
B. Websites:
https://www.slideshare.net/JzmnSrmnt/plant-and-animal-form-and-function