Every plant part has its own job to do. Roots grow down into the soil. They soak up water and tiny bits of food called minerals, just like a straw pulls up a drink.
The stem works like a highway. It carries water up from the roots to the leaves, and carries food back down to the rest of the plant.
Ben looks at his sunflower. Water travels up the stem to the leaves. The leaves catch sunlight and turn it into food. Then the flower uses that food to make seeds for new sunflowers.
Follow the path: roots drink water, the stem carries it, leaves cook food with sunlight, and flowers make seeds. Each part passes the job to the next one.
Roots drink water, stems carry it, leaves cook food with sunlight, and flowers make seeds for new plants.
What do roots do for a plant?