Did this video help you?
Plant Organ System (AQA GCSE Biology: Combined Science)
Revision Note
Transport in Plants
Plant organs
- The structure of root hair cells, xylem and phloem are adapted to their functions
- The roots, stem and leaves are all plant organs that form a plant organ system for transport of substances around the plant
Functions of xylem & phloem
- Plants contain two types of transport vessel – xylem and phloem
- Xylem vessels – transport water and minerals (pronounced: zi-lem) from the roots to the stem and leaves
- It is composed of hollow tubes strengthened by lignin adapted for the transport of water in the transpiration stream
- Phloem vessels – transport food materials (mainly sucrose and amino acids) made by the plant from photosynthesising leaves to non-photosynthesising regions in the roots and stem (pronounced: flow-em)
- These vessels are arranged throughout the root, stem and leaves in groups called vascular bundles
Vascular tissue in a dicotyledonous plant
- 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 which increase the surface area of the cells significantly; this increases the rate of the absorption of water by osmosis and mineral ions by active transport
- They grow between soil particles and absorb water and minerals from the soil
- Water enters the root hair cells by osmosis
- This happens because soil water has a higher water potential than the cytoplasm of the root hair cell
The structure of a root specifically allows it to maximise absorption of water by osmosis and mineral ions by active transport
- Osmosis causes water to pass into the root hair cells, through the root cortex and into the xylem vessels:
Pathway of water into and across a root
- Once the water gets into the xylem, it is carried up to the leaves where it enters mesophyll cells
- The pathway is:
root hair cell → root cortex cells → xylem → leaf mesophyll cells
Examiner Tip
If you are asked to identify the xylem or phloem in a diagram showing a cross-section of a root, stem or leaf just remember that xylem is always on the inside and phloem is always on the outside.
You've read 0 of your 10 free revision notes
Unlock more, it's free!
Did this page help you?