Root Hair Cells (Edexcel GCSE Biology)

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.