3.3 - Transport in plants Flashcards
Why do plants need transport systems?
- To move sucrose and oxygen to roots for respiration
- To move ions from roots to leaves
- Plants can be very large
- Stems, trunks and roots have small SA : V ratio - diffusion too slow
Define dicotyledonous plant
- Seeds contain two cotyledons
- Cotyledons are organs that store food for developing plant
Define vascular system
- Transport vessels
- that run through roots, stem and leaves
- i.e. xylem and phloem
Define vascular bundle
Arrangement of xylem and phloem tissue
Describe the arrangement of the vascular bundle in the stem
- Around edge of plant
- Gives strength and support
- Phloem closest to outside edge
Describe the arrangement of the vascular bundle in the root
- Middle of root
- Protects bundle from tugging strains in the wind
- Xylem forms an ‘X’ shape
Describe the arrangement of the vascular bundle in the leaf
- Midrib is main vein carrying vascular tissue - gives support to structure of leaf
- Xylem closest to upper side of leaf
- Smaller branching veins also carry vascular bundles
Describe and explain the structure of leaves
- Waxy cuticle - prevents transpiration
- Upper epidermis - transparent to allow light to enter the leaf
- Palisade mesophyll - contains lots of chloroplasts to absorb light
- Spongy mesophyll - air spaces allow gases to diffuse
- Guard cells - control opening and closing of stomata
- Stomata - allow gas exchange - carbon dioxide enters, oxygen (and water) leaves
Describe how plants carry out gas exchange in the leaves
- O2 and CO2 enter and exit the leaf through the stomata by diffusion
- Photosynthesis maintains gas concentration gradients in the leaf
- Guard cells open the stomata during the day and close the stomata at night
- O2 and CO2 move through air spaces in the spongy mesophyll
- CO2 dissolves in moisture in mesophyll cell walls
Explain how water is absorbed by the roots
- By root hair cells
- Osmosis
What is the role of the xylem?
- Transport of water and mineral ions
- From roots upwards
- Provides mechanical support
Describe the structure of the xylem
- Continuous column
- Made from dead cells
- Lignin to strengthen - either spiral or annular (rings)
- Pores in outer cellulose cell wall - allow water to leave xylem into adjacent leaf cells or xylem vessels
Explain why lignin is essential in the wall of a xylem vessel
- Provides support to prevent collapse of xylem
- Necessary because transpiration produces tension
- Waterproofs cell
Why is water important for plants?
- Provides turgor (hydrostatic) pressure
- Gives support to stems
- Provides force for roots to push through ground
- Mineral ions and sugars are transported in aqueous solutions
- Required for photosynthesis
How are mineral ions absorbed by roots?
- By root hair cells
- Against the concentration gradient
- Requires active transport - protein pumps and ATP
List mineral ions absorbed by roots
- Potassium
- Phosphates
- Nitrates
How is the surface area for absorption of mineral ions increased?
- Branching of roots
- Root hair cells
How does water enter root hair cells?
Osmosis
- High water potential in soil
- Lower water potential in root hair cell
- Due to dissolved mineral ions, sugars, amino acids
Define plasmodesmata
Continuous cytoplasm channels
that link plant cells
What are the two pathways that water uses to move through the root?
- Symplast pathway
- Apoplast pathway
Describe the symplast pathway
- Water moves through cytoplasm
- By osmosis
- Plasmodesmata link adjacent cells
- Water potential gradient maintained by water leaving roots and entering xylem
Describe the apoplast pathway
- Water moves through the cell walls and intercellular spaces
- Cohesive forces pull water molecules along
- Creates tension, so continuous flow of water forms