The front and the base (4)
I believe the answer is:
stem
I believe this is a double definition.
'the front' is the first definition.
(stem is a kind of front)
'the base' is the second definition.
(thesaurus)
'and' is the link.
(Other definitions for stem that I've seen before include "Check - part of a plant" , "Slender vertical part, glass or plant" , "Tube" , "race" , "branch of family" .)