**Getting to Know Plants: NCERT Solutions Chapter 7**

Plants are an essential part of our environment and play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of nature. Understanding plants and their various aspects is important for students to develop a scientific temperament and appreciate the significance of plants in our lives.

**1. Parts of a Plant:**
Plants consist of different parts that perform specific functions. These parts include roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits. Each part has a unique purpose, contributing to the overall growth and development of the plant.

**2. Functions of Different Parts:**
- **Roots:** Roots anchor the plant in the soil, absorb water and nutrients, and store food.
- **Stems:** Stems provide support to the plant and transport water, minerals, and food between roots and leaves.
- **Leaves:** Leaves are the primary site of photosynthesis, where plants produce food using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide.
- **Flowers:** Flowers are reproductive structures that produce seeds. They attract pollinators like insects, birds, or wind for the purpose of pollination.
- **Fruits:** Fruits develop from fertilized flowers and contain seeds. They aid in seed dispersal and protect seeds until they are ready to germinate.

**3. Types of Plants:**
Plants can be broadly classified into two categories: flowering plants (angiosperms) and non-flowering plants (gymnosperms and pteridophytes).

- **Flowering Plants:** These are the most common and diverse group of plants. They produce flowers, fruits, and seeds. Examples include rose, mango, and sunflower.
- **Non-flowering Plants:** These plants do not produce flowers or fruits. Gymnosperms, such as pine trees, have naked seeds, while pteridophytes, such as ferns, reproduce through spores.

**4. Life Cycle of Plants:**
Plants undergo a life cycle that involves alternating generations between sporophyte and gametophyte phases. In flowering plants, the sporophyte phase is dominant, while in non-flowering plants, the gametophyte phase is dominant.

- **Sporophyte Phase:** This is the diploid phase, where plants produce spores through meiosis. These spores develop into the gametophyte phase.
- **Gametophyte Phase:** This is the haploid phase, where plants produce gametes (sex cells) through mitosis. Fertilization of gametes leads to the formation of a new sporophyte.

**5. Importance of Plants:**
Plants are crucial for various reasons:
- They produce oxygen through photosynthesis, enabling the survival of all living organisms.
- They provide food, shelter, and habitat for animals and humans.
- They help in maintaining the water cycle and prevent soil erosion.
- They are a source of medicines, fibers, and raw materials for various industries.

Understanding the concepts related to plants is vital for students to appreciate the beauty of nature and contribute to the conservation and sustainable use of plant resources.

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