Plant Life Important Question Answer - Class 5 Science | Quick Revision Study Guide

Q1: What are the two main types of plants based on their lifespan? Provide examples for each type.
Ans: There are two main types of plants based on their lifespan. 
The first type is long-living plants, like trees like mango and banyan and shrubs like rose., which live for many years and bear fruits and flowers. 
The second type is short-living plants, like herbs such as wheat, pea and most garden vegetables., which live only for a few months or one season.

Q2: Explain the two important systems of a plant's body.

Ans: A plant's body has two important systems: the shoot system and the root system. 
The shoot system includes parts like leaves, flowers, fruits, and stems that grow above the soil to get air and sunlight. 
The root system consists of roots, tubers, and rhizomes, and it grows below the soil. The root system anchors the plant, absorbs water and minerals, and stores food.

Q3: What are taproots and fibrous roots? Provide examples of plants with each type of root.
Ans: Taproots and fibrous roots are two common root types:

• Taproot: A single, thick main root grows downward with smaller lateral roots branching from it. It often stores food. Examples: carrot and sugar beet.
• Fibrous root: Many thin roots of almost equal size spread out from the stem, forming a dense network. Examples: grasses and lilies.

Q4: What are modified roots? Give examples of different types of modified roots.
Ans: Modified roots are roots that have changed shape to perform special jobs. Examples include:

• Storage roots: Thickened roots that store food, for example carrot and sweet potato.
• Aerial or prop roots: Roots that grow above ground to support the plant, for example banyan tree.
• Aquatic roots: Roots adapted to living in water, for example roots of water lily.

Q5: Explain the shoot system of a plant. What are the main parts of the shoot system?
Ans: The shoot system is the part of the plant above the soil. Its main parts are the stem, leaves, buds, flowers, fruits and branches. The stem holds the leaves and flowers up, leaves make food, buds form new shoots or flowers, and branches give support and space for more leaves and flowers. Leaves are attached to the stem at places called nodes.

Q6: What is the role of stems in a plant? Are there any types of modified stems?
Ans: The stem supports the plant and carries water, minerals and food between roots and leaves. Stems also hold leaves and flowers in positions where they can get light and pollinators. Many stems are modified for special functions. Examples include:

• Tendrils: Thin, coiling stems that help climbing plants, for example pea plants.
• Runners or stolons: Horizontal stems that grow along the ground and make new plants, for example strawberry.
• Underground stems: Such as potato (tubers) and ginger (rhizomes) that store food.
• Water-storing stems: Thick stems in cacti that store water.

Q7: How do leaves help plants make food? What is the role of chlorophyll in leaves?
Ans: Leaves make food for the plant by a process called photosynthesis. They take in carbon dioxide from the air and water from the soil, and use sunlight to make sugar and release oxygen. Chlorophyll is the green pigment in leaves that captures sunlight energy and so it is essential for making food.

Q8: What are stomata on leaves, and why are they important?
Ans: Stomata are tiny openings mostly found on the underside of leaves. Each stoma is surrounded by two guard cells that open and close it. Stomata allow gases to move in and out of the leaf: carbon dioxide enters for photosynthesis, and oxygen and water vapour leave. They help the plant breathe and control water loss.

Q9: Can you name some examples of modified leaves and explain their functions?
Ans: Yes. Some modified leaves and their functions are:

• Spines (cactus leaves): Protect the plant and reduce water loss.
• Tendrils (pea plants): Help the plant climb and attach to supports.
• Storage leaves (onion): Store food and water in the base of the plant.
• Needle-like leaves (pine and fir): Reduce water loss in cold or dry climates.

Q10: What is pollination, and how does it help in the reproduction of plants?
Ans: Pollination is the transfer of pollen from the anther (male part) of a flower to the stigma (female part) of the same or another flower. Pollination allows fertilisation to take place so that seeds and fruits can form. Pollination is carried out by agents such as insects, wind, birds, mammals and water; these agents help move pollen from flower to flower, enabling plants to reproduce.