Living things and the parts of a plant

What makes something alive

A living thing grows, needs food, water and air, and can make young ones. A rock does none of these; a plastic toy shaped like a cat does none of these either.

That last point matters: looking like a living thing is not the same as being one. The test is always what it does, never what it looks like.

Parts of a plant

Each part has one job. Roots take in water and hold the plant in the soil. The stem carries water up and holds the plant straight. Leaves catch light. Flowers make seeds.