专业英语课文1-3.docVIP

The Parts of A Plant and Their Functions 1A plant is a living organism. 2It is made up of different parts, each of which has a particular purpose, or specialized function. 3If one part of the plant is not functioning properly the whole plant will suffer. 4But we may cut flowers off the plant or prune the roots. 5 6The basic parts of a plant are the root system, which is below the ground, and the shoot system above. 7The root of a plant has two main functions. 8It takes in, or absorbs, water and minerals from the soil through the root hairs, which are single cells near the tip of each root. 9The other main function of the root is to hold, or anchor, the plant firmly in position in the soil. 10Plant such as sugar beet and carrots are able to store food in their roots. 11In this way they can keep growing for more than one season.12In addition, plants such as clover and lucerne, known as legumes, have special bacteria which live on the roots. 13This simple forms of life take nitrogen out of the air which is in the soil. 14 16The shoot system above the ground consists of the stem, the leaves, flowers and fruit. 17One of the functions of the stem is to support the plant. 18Another important function is to enable water and minerals to pass up from the roots to the leaves and flowers. 19Organic materials such as sugar travel down the stem to the roots. 20The leaves grow out of the side of the stem. 21Their main job is to make food for the plant by the process known as photosynthesis. 22For this process sunlight is necessary. 23Water from the soil and carbon dioxide from the air are converted into sugars and other carbohydrates. 24During the process oxygen is formed and released into the air. 25The flower contains the reproductive organs of the plant. 26The stamens produce the male sex cells, or spermatic, which are carried in the pollen grains. 27The carpel produces the female sex cells, or ovules. 28The fruit, the ripened ovary of the flower, encloses the seeds and protect