Root Hair Cells
Root hair cell function
- Root hair cells are adapted for the efficient uptake of water (by osmosis) and mineral ions (by active transport)
- Root hairs are single-celled extensions of epidermis cells in the root
- They grow between soil particles and absorb water and minerals from the soil
- Root hairs increase the surface area to volume ratio significantly
- This increases the rate of the absorption of mineral ions by active transport
- The high proportion of dissolved minerals and sugars in the cytoplasm (of the root hair cell) gives it a low water potential (less watery)
- This causes water to move into the root hair cell by osmosis
Root Hair Cell Diagram
A root hair cell.
Root Hair Cells and the Uptake of Water
The structure of a root specifically allows it to maximise absorption of water by osmosis and mineral ions by active transport.
