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Science 4
Quarter 2 – Module 4
Week 4 – Specialized
Structures of Terrestrial
and Aquatic Plants

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Science – Grade 4
Alternative Delivery Mode
Second Quarter – Module 4: Specialized Structures of Terrestrial and Aquatic Plants
First Edition, 2020

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Published by the Department of Education

Secretary: Leonor Magtolis Briones
Undersecretary: Diosdado M. San Antonio

Development Team of the Module

Writer/Compiler: Mrs. Jane G. Bacus, MT II, City Central Elementary School

Content Editors: Mr. Ronald N. Llerin, PSDS, SD 7

Dr. Anatolia U. Patosa, Principal I, Ermita Elementary School
Mrs. Reyna G. Marquez, Assistant Principal, Labangon Bliss ES
Dr. Floreiphine S. Navarro, Principal III, Punta Princesa ES

Language Editor: Dr. Arlene A. Caballero, Principal III, Mabolo Elementary School

Management Team: Dr. Rhea Mar A. Angtud, EdD, Schools Division Superintendent
Dr. Danilo G. Gudelosao, EdD, Assistant Schools Division
Superintendent
Dr. Grecia F. Bataluna, CID Chief
Dr. Raylene S. Manawatao, EPS-Science
Mrs. Vanessa L. Harayo, EPS-LRMS

Printed in the Philippines by: DepEd, Cebu City Division, ROV II

Office Address: New Imus Avenue, Day-as, Cebu City
Telephone Numbers: (032) 255-1516 / (032) 253-9095
E-mail Address: [email protected]

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 4
Science
Quarter 2– Module 4
Week 4 – Specialized
Structures of Terrestrial
and Aquatic Plants

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 What I Need To Know

This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you master
some characteristics of plants. The scope of this module permits it to be used in
many different learning situations. The language used recognizes the diverse
vocabulary levels of pupils. The lessons are arranged to follow the standard
sequence of the curriculum. So, read, understand, and answer the activities in this
module carefully.

Learning Competency:

Identify the specialized structures of terrestrial and aquatic plants.

(S4LT-IIe-f-9)

The module is divided into three lessons, namely:

 Lesson 15 – Terrestrial Plants


 Lesson 16 – Aquatic Plants

 Lesson 17 – Specialized Structures of Terrestrial and Aquatic Plants

After going through this module, you are expected to;

1. identify the different parts of plants;

2. determine the characteristics of terrestrial plants;

3. describe the characteristics of aquatic plants;

4. compare the specialized structure of terrestrial and aquatic plants;

5. give the importance of plants to people and animals.

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 What I Know
(PRE-TEST)

Before you start studying this module, take this simple test first to find out what you
already know about the topics of this module.

Directions: Read each item carefully. Write the letter of the correct answer on the
answer sheet.

1. What specialized structure is common to rose and bougainvillea?

A. fibrous fruits B. stinging hairs C. sticky leaves D. thorny stems

2.Which of the following plants lives in water for survival?

A. durian B. lotus C. sampaguita D. santol

3.Why grazing animals do not feed on cogon and talahib grasses?

Those plants have _______.

A. offensive odor B. poison C. razor-sharp blades D. thorns

4. Some plants possess special structures and characteristics which they use for
defense, survival and food getting. Which of the following plants have thorns so
that animals cannot easily touch and eat them?

A. bougainvillea and rose C. orchid and rosal

B. calamansi and gumamela D. mayana and santan

5. One morning, my younger sister watered her plants. Among her plants, she
noticed that gabi leaves had more water on their top or what we call morning dew.
How do you call the protective structure that prevents damage of the inner part of
the plant?

A. shiny leaves B. thorns C. waxy leaves D. waxy stem

6.What characteristics make the water hyacinth float on water?

A. bulbous system filled with air C. light rounded waxy leaves

B. light weight of the plant D. spreading, feathery root system

7. Which of the following is an example of terrestrial plant?

A. algae B. duckweeds C. sea lettuce D. talahib

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8. Isabel went in her friend’s garden. This garden was full of flowering plants. She
enjoyed looking at them. She wondered why rose and bougainvillea plants were
not planted inside the fence. What structures protect them from the enemies?
They have ___________________.

A. poisonous leaves C. stems with thorns

B. sharp blade of leaves D. unpleasant smell

9. What do you call the spines and thorns of some plants which they use to protect
themselves from danger?

A. adaptive structure B. camouflage C. enemies of plants D. plant disease

10.There are different people who work with plants. What do you call to those who
have knowledge of the varieties of plants used in ornamental gardening and
landscaping?

A. Biologists B. Herbalists C. Horticulturists D. Pomologists

You may now go to the next part to begin Lesson 15.

Lesson
Terrestrial Plants
15
Plants are very important to us. We need plants to live. There are
different plants around us and one of them is the terrestrial plant. A terrestrial plant
is a plant that grows on soil or land. Some terrestrial plants are small, others are big.
There are plants with big trunks while others have soft stem. Other plants bear
flowers while others do not.

In this lesson, you will identify and describe some characteristics of terrestrial
plants found in your place.

After going through this lesson, you are expected to:

1. identify the parts of terrestrial plant;
2. describe the characteristic of terrestrial plants.

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 What’s In

Activity 1: Review on the animal movements on a particular habitat.

Write on the blank how do these animals move on their habitat.

1. horse __________ 6. snake __________

2. rabbit __________ 7. cow __________
3. duck __________ 8. lizard __________
4. fish __________ 9. octopus __________
5. frog __________ 10. star fish __________

Activity 2: Review on the different parts of the plants

Look at the picture. Identify the different parts of the plants. Choose your answer
from the words given below and write them on a pad paper.

1.

2.

3.
4.

Leaf stem roots flower

What’s New

Activity: What are the characteristics of plants?

What you need: pictures and notebook

What to do:

1. Look at the pictures carefully.

2. Examine the different parts and characteristics of each plants.

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 stem has thorns
leaves are oval shape and have sharps on the sides
roots are small
flowers have plenty of petals

rose

stem/trunk is big
leaves are shiny and dark green
roots are long and plenty
flowers are small
fruits are sweet and sour

mango tree

leaves and stem are thick, fleshy and water storing

leaves have spines
roots may be short or long and absorb water
flowers grow big and colorful
fruits are sweet and nutritious

cactus
has an underground stem
leaves are large
flowers form a large spike
fruits are long with yellow or green skin

banana

stems are soft and climbing

leaves are darked green
flowers are yellow
fruits taste bitter

ampalaya

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What have you found out:

1. What are the common parts of terrestrial plants?

____________________________________________________
2. In what way the stem of a mango differs from the stem of a rose?
____________________________________________________

3. Do plants have the same leaves? What can you say about the
leaves of a banana plant?
_____________________________________________________

4. Where do these plants grow?

_____________________________________________________

5. What are the characteristics of these plants?

_____________________________________________________

What Is It

Common Parts of Plants and its Functions

fruit- it produces seeds

stem- it transports water to all parts
of the plant
root- it absorbs water and nutrients
from the soil
leaves-the organ that carries out
photosynthesis

 Plants have three basic parts, the leaves, stem and roots. Others bear flowers
while others do not.

 Plants that grow on land are called terrestrial plants. Some terrestrial plants
are small, others are big. There are plants with big trunks (woody stem) while
others have soft stem.

 There are plants that need plenty of water to grow, while others need very little
water in order to survive.

 All plants have roots, stem and leaves. Many also have flowers which will
develop into seeds.

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  Terrestrial plants grow in different places. There are plants that grow
directly on the soil while others grow on rocks. Other plants cling to the
fence while the greatest number of plants are found in the field.

 Plants living in different places are exposed to varied conditions;

however, their structures are suited to particular needs. For example,
forest plants tend to grow tall and sturdy.

 Shapes and sizes of the leaves are also important for survival. Plants like
bananas produce big, broad leaves to efficiently trap more energy.

 Plants with waxy leaves help protect themselves from dehydration as a

result of too much exposure to the sunlight.

 Some plants have also developed structures to store water especially in

the dessert. Cactus is the best of dessert plant.

 Roots of the plants adapt themselves too their habitat. They differ in sizes
and shapes too. These characteristics are determined by their functions.

Other Examples of Terrestrial Plants:

Grapes Rose Gabi Corn

Coconut Mango mayana Banana

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 What’s More

A. Directions: Write T if the sentence is True and F if the sentence is

false. Write your answer on a pad paper.

_____1. Some terrestrial plants have waxy leaves.

_____2. Terrestrial plants live within watery environment.

_____3. Forest plants tend to grow tall and sturdy.

_____4. Rose plant is the best example of desert plant.

_____5. Some terrestrial plants are small, others are big.

B. Directions: Describe the characteristics of terrestrial plants by

completing the table below. Write your answer on a
pad paper.

Plants Stem Roots Leaves Flower

rose with thorns small oval red

banana

cactus

ampalaya

Mango Tree

What I Have Learned

Complete the paragraph below with the words inside the box. Write your
answers on the pad paper.

flowers different trunks soft land big soil rocks cling

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 Terrestrial plants are plants that grow on (1) _____. Some terrestrial plants are
small, others are (2) _____. There are plants with big (3) _____ while others have (4)
_____ stem. Other plants bear (5) _____ while others do not. Terrestrial plants grow
in (6) _____ places. There are plants that grow directly on the (7) _____ while others
grow on (8) _____. Other plants (9) _____ to the fence while the greatest number of
plants are found in the field.

What I Can Do

Do the following at home:

1. List down 5 terrestrial plants found in your surroundings.

2. Draw and describe its characteristics on a short bond paper.

You may now go to the next part to begin Lesson 16.

Lesson
Aquatic Plants
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We all know plants are of different types. We have been made familiar with
plants that are on land but what about the ones underneath the water? They are
plants that are meant to live underwater. Aquatic plants are very fascinating and
have unique characteristics.
Any type of plant or vegetation which lives and grows in water is called an
aquatic plant. They are found in all types of water whether seawater or freshwater.
For instance, you can see them in oceans, rivers, lakes, ponds and more. Just like
aquatic animals that have unique characteristics, aquatic plants also have features
which the terrestrial plants do not possess.
Aquatic habitats are different from terrestrial habitats. There is limited supply
of oxygen in aquatic systems. For this reason, aquatic plants need specialized
structures to adapt to this kind of habitat.

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 After going through this lesson, you are expected to:

1. identify aquatic plants;

2. describe the parts and characteristic of aquatic plants.

What’s In

Activity 1: Review on terrestrial plants. Complete the sentence by arranging the

jumbled letters inside the parenthesis for the correct answer. Write your answers on
a pad paper.

1. These plants grow on land. ______ (lairtserret)

2. Terrestrial plants grow in different _____. (secalp)

3. It is the best example of desert plant. _____(sutcac)

4. Other plants ___ to the fence. (gnilc)

5. Some terrestrial plants have different _____ (teristicscharac)

Activity 2: Identify the terrestrial plants from the pictures below. Write the letters of
these plants on your pad paper.
A B

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 What’s New

Activity: Can you find aquatic plants?

What you need: pictures of aquatic plants like water lily, lotus, hyacinth

What to do:

1. Observe the different water plants that you see in these pictures.
2. Describe the parts of the aquatic plants. Write your description in your Science
notebook.

Water lily

 leaves are thick, buoyant and wide which helps them float in
water
 roots are fleshy tubes that submerged in water
 flowers stand above the water on slender stalks
 long elastic stems rise toward the water surface

lotus

 leaves are flat and broad

 flowers are wide and showy
 root is an oblong, tubular rhizome and grows underground
 stems are long that hold the leaves above the water

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 hyacinth

 leaves are broad, thick and glossy

 stem is long, spongy and bulbous
 flowers are fragrant and bloom in cluster
 roots are long that can reach the soil under the water

What have you found out:

1. What plants did you observe?

___________________________________________________
2. What are the parts of each plant that you observed?
___________________________________________________
3. What are the parts that are common among the plants?
___________________________________________________
4. What can you say about the characteristics of aquatic plants that you have
observed?
__________________________________________________
5. What are the similarities in characteristics between terrestrial and aquatic
plants?
__________________________________________________

What Is It

VOCABULARY WORDS:
adapted- become adjusted to new conditions

adaptation- the action or process by which organisms becomes better suited to its
environment

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buoyant- able to stay on top of a water

hydrophytes- a plant which grows only in or on the surface

saturated- holding as much water or moisture as can be absorbed

submerged- below the surface of an area of water

tubular rhizomes- underground stem that shape like a tube

 Aquatic plants are plants that have adapted to living within aquatic
environments. They are also referred to as hydrophytes. These plants
require special adaptations for living submerged in water or at the water’s
surface.

 Aquatic plants can only grow in water or in soil that is permanently saturated
with water.

 The leaves, stem and roots of aquatic plants grow underwater. In some, the
leaves float on water. Their flowers are raised above the water surface.

 Aquatic plants have specialized structures that allow them to live under the
water. Others have specialized structures to make them float on the surface
of water.

What’s More

Write aquatic or terrestrial on a pad paper.

_____1. Gumamela _____6. Water Hyacinth

_____2. Mango Tree _____7. Coconut
_____3. Lotus _____8. Amplaya
_____4. Rose _____9. Water Lily
_____5. Corn _____10. seaweeds

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 What I Have Learned

Complete the sentence. Write your answer on a pad paper.

1. I have learned that aquatic plants differ from terrestrial plants because
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
2. Aquatic plants are similar to terrestrial plants because _____________
________________________________________________________

What I Can Do

Look at the picture below.

1. Do you know the name of this aquatic plant?

2. Do you eat this at home?

3. Did your parents prepare this sometime during your meal?

4. Ask your parents the name of this plant.

5. What do you think is the nutrients we can get from this plant?

6. Give the importance of plant to us.

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 You may now go to the next part to begin Lesson 17.

Lesson
Specialized Structures of
Terrestrial and Aquatic Plants
17
This lesson will discuss about the specialized structures of terrestrial and
aquatic plants. Like animals, plants have specialized structures in order to adapt to
their environment.

After going through this lesson, you are expected to:

1. identify the specialized structures of terrestrial and aquatic plants;

2. name and describe some plants with specialized structures

What’s In

Review: Knowing plants better. Write the name of the plant being described. Choose
your answer on the words below
.
coconut mango gumamela water hyacinth ampalaya

__________ 1. It lives in the garden. It has wide red colored petals. Insects keep on
visiting it.

__________ 2. It lives in water. It has light, spongy stalks that enable to float.

___________ 3. It is the Philippine national fruit.

___________ 4. It has bitter taste but delicious.

__________ 5. People call this as a tree of life because all of its parts can be used
for different purposes.

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 What’s New

Activity: What makes it different?

What you need: pictures of some terrestrial and aquatic plants

What to do:

1. Look at the pictures of the plants carefully.

2. Study the specialized structure and function of each plant.

Name of Plant Specialized Structure Function

have large thick stem store water

cactus

protection from dehydration

due to sunlight
waxy leaves

gabi

stems have thorns protection from enemies

rose
rose

long roots to reach the soil under the

water

hyacinth

thick and buoyant leaves help float in water

Water lily

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What have you found out:

1. What plants did you see?

___________________________________________________

2. What are the different specialized structures of plants you have

observed?
___________________________________________________

3. Why specialized structures important to plants?

___________________________________________________

What Is It

VOCABULARY WORDS:

buoyant- able to stay on top of a water

dehydration- the loss or removal of water for something

fleshy- thick and tender

pungent- having a sharply strong taste or smell

special structures- the part of the plants that help them adapt to the environment

succulent- flesh and tender

spines- needle like structure in plants

thorns- a stiff, sharp- pointed, straight or curved woody projection on the stem or
other part of a plant

Study the information given in the table below.

Plants Specialized Structures

Marang, durian They have fruits with pungent odor

Noted for unpleasant smell of flowers yet attract flies to
Kalumpang tree pollinate.
It has a thick cuticle that filter strong light and guards
Bird of paradise against excessive water loss.
Talahib/ cogon It has a sharp leaf that might cause you harm.
Pineapple It has spines on their leaves.
Cactus It has fleshy stems to conserve water for a long time.
Their leaves and fruits have strong smelling oils that
Citrus plants have unpleasant taste

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Specialized structures are important to plants in order to adapt to their
environment. Plants grow in different places are exposed to varied conditions.
Their structures are suited to what they need in that place in order to survive.

Examples:
1. Forest trees grow tall and sturdy to get sunlight.
2. Cactuses have large thick stem to store water.

Thorns and hairs are some of the specialized structures of plants. Not all plants
have thorns and hairs. Thorns and hairs protect the plants from animals.

Examples:
1. Thorns in the stem of a rose plant.
2. Hairy stems and leaves of squash plant.

Shapes, sizes, and nature of the leaves.

Examples:
1. Banana leaves are big and wide to trap more energy from the sun.
2. Cactuses/cacti have tiny leaves to reduce evaporation of water.
3. Gabi leaves have waxy surface that serves as protection
from dehydration due to exposure to sunlight.
4. Leaves of cogon and talahib have sharp leaf blades.
5. The leaves of water lily are wide, thick, and buoyant
that help them to float in the water.
6. Lotus leaves are flat and broad helping them float.
7. Leaf stalks of hyacinths have air-filled tissues to make it
float.

Stems of many plants have different specialized functions.

Examples:
1. Thick stems of desert plants like cactuses/cacti (succulents) serve as
special structure to store water.
2. Green stems of small plants allow photosynthesis.

Roots of the plants adapt to their habitat.

Examples:
1. Trees have long roots that go deep into the ground to support the
tree.
2. Hanging roots of orchids to absorb water from the air.
3. The hyacinths have long roots so that they can reach the soil
under the water.

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 What’s More

Matching Type: Match column A with column B. Write the letter of the correct
answer on a pad paper.

Column A Column B

_____1. It has spines on their leaves A. cactus

_____2. They have fruits with pungent odor. B. calamansi

_____3. They have thick, buoyant, and wide flat leaves. C. citrus plants

_____4. It has a thick cuticle that filter strong light

and guards against excessive water loss. D. bird of paradise

_____5. Their roots are long that can reach the

soil under water. E. hyacinth

_____6. Leaves and fruits have strong and smelling

oils that have unpleasant taste. F. marang, durian

_____7. It has fleshy stems to conserve water for

a long time. G. squash

_____8. This plant has had thorns on their stem. H. pineapple

_____9. It has a sharp leaf that might cause you harm. I. talahib/cogon

_____10. Have a hairy stem that can cause irritation. J. water lily

What I Have Learned

A. Complete the concept chart below: Choose your answer from words found inside
the box below. Copy the chart and write your answers on a pad paper.

Terrestrial plants Aquatic plants Grassland plants

Forest plants Fresh-water plants Submerged plants

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 Can be classified as

1 2
. .

That live on land such as That live in water such as

3 4 5 6
. . . .

Dessert plants

B. Name one terrestrial and one aquatic plant with specialized structures on your pad
paper.
Aquatic Plant- ___________________________________________

Terrestrial Plant- __________________________________________

What I Can Do

Your barangay captain launched Bantay Ilog Program and aimed of

saving our aquatic plants. As a child, how can you help protect our
aquatic plants? Show your answer through drawing by making a
slogan poster on a bond paper.

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 Assessment
POST-TEST

Directions. Read each item carefully. Write the letter of the correct answer on the
pad paper.

1. What plant has fleshy stem that conserves water for a long time?

A. cactus B. cogon C. pineapple D. strawberry

2. What specialized structure is common to rose and bougainvillea?

Both have________________.

A. fibrous fruits B. sticky leaves C. stinging hairs D. thorny stems

3. Which of the plants below grows in water for survival?

A. mango B. rose C. sampaguita D. water lily

4. What do you call the sharp leaves and hairy stems of some plants which they
use to protect themselves from danger?

A. adaptive structure C. enemies of the plants

B. camouflage D. plant diseases

5. My mother waters her plants everyday. Among her plants, she noticed that gabi
leaves had more water on their top or we call it morning dew. How do you call the
protected structure that prevents damage of the inner part of this plant?

A. hairy stem B. thorns C. waxy leaves D. waxy stem

6. Mang Erning is a farmer. Last month, he planted his field with sugarcane and
corn. Every weekend, he visits his plants to remove weeds. He also cultivates the
soil by means of plow. He uses shirts with long sleeves so that his skin won’t brushes
against the leaves of his plant. How do these plants protect themselves from
enemies? Their leaves have _________________.

A. bad smell B. better taste C. hair-like structure D. thorns

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7. Some plants such as cactuses/cacti and other plants in the desert can grow in dry
soil for a long period of time. They withstand the heat of the sun. what structure helps
them respond to and survive in their environment? They have ______________
which prevent loss of water.

A. fine hair B. sharp leaf blades C. thick bark D. thick and fleshy stem

8. What characteristics make the water lily float on water?

A bulbous stem filled with air C. light weight of the plant

B light rounded waxy leaves D. spreading, feathery root stem

9. All of these plants are example of aquatic plant EXCEPT_______.

A. coconut B. lotus C. water hyacinth D. water lily

10. Mang Kardo has just bought a piece of land in the province. The place is situated
near a mountain with a lagoon on the southern part of the lot. Where shall he place
the water lily plant in order to grow?

A. in the garden B. in the lagoon C. near the fence D. on the rocks

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 ANSWER KEY
Lesson 15
What’s In What’s More
A. B. A. B.
1. gallop 1. flower 1. T 1. rose- with thorns, small, oval, red
2. jump 2. leaf 2. F 2. banana- big, long, large/broad, form a large spike
3. swim 3. stem 3. T 3. cactus- thick fleshy, long or short, have spines, big and colorful
4. swim 4. roots 4. F 4. ampalaya- soft/climbing, small, darked green, yellow
5. hop 5. T 5. mango tree- big, long and plenty, shiny dark green, small
6. crawl What I Have Learned
7. walk 1. land 5. flowers 9. cling
8. crawl 2. big 6. different
9. swim 3. trunks 7. soil
10. swim 4. soft 8. rocks

Lesson 16
What’s In What’s More What I Have Learned
Act 1 Act 2 1. terrestrial 6. aquatic 1. They are different because terrestrial survive
1. terrestrial A,C,E 2. terrestrial 7. terrestrial on land while aquatic survive on water.
2. places 3. aquatic 8. terrestrial 2. They are similar because both have special
3. cactus 4. terrestrial 9. aquatic structures and characteristics.
4. cling 5. terrestrial 10. aquatic
5. characteristic

Lesson 17
What’s In What’s More What I Have Learned
A. B.
1. gumamela 1. H 6. C 1. terrestrial 1. rose- stem with thorns
2. hyacinth 2. F 7. A 2. aquatic 2. water lily- buoyant leaves
3. mango 3. J 8. B 3. grassland plants
4. amplaya 4. D 9. I 4. forest plants
5. coconut 5. E 10. G 5. fresh- water plants
6. submerged plants

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For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:

Department of Education – Division of Cebu city

Office Address: Imus Avenue, Cebu City Telephone
Nos.: (032) 255-1516 / (032) 253-9095 E-mail
Address : [email protected]

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