B1.5 Specialisation in plant cells

Question 1

What are the 3 main adaptions of a root hair cell?

Answer 1

Greatly increase the surface area available for water to move into the cell
Large permanent vacuole which speeds up the movement of water by osmosis
Many mitochondria that transfer the energy needed for the active transport

Question 2

How are Photosynthetic cells adapted?

Answer 2

Specialised green structures called chloroplasts that trap the light needed for photosynthesis
Have a large permanent vacuole that helps keep the cell rigid as a result of osmosis

Question 3

What does the Xylem transport?

Answer 3

Carries water and mineral ions from the root to the highest leaves and shoots

Question 4

What is the purpose of lignin building up?

Answer 4

Xylem cells are alive when they are first formed but a special chemical called lignin builds up in spirals in the cell walls. The cells die and form long hollow tubes that allow water and mineral ions to move from one end of the plant to the other

Question 5

What does the spirals and rings of lignin do to help the plant?

Answer 5

Makes them very strong and withstand the pressure of water moving up the plant - also help support the plant stem

Question 6

What does the Phloem transport?

Answer 6

Carries the food made by photosynthesis around the body

Question 7

How are the sieve plates formed?

Answer 7

When the cell walls between the cells break down to form special sieve plates - allow water carrying dissolved food to move freely up and down the tubes to where it is needed

Question 8

What is the purpose of the companion cells?

Answer 8

Have lots of mitochondria that transfer the energy needed to move dissolved food up and down the plant in phloem

Question 9

Explain why translocation is important to plants?

Answer 9

Food are made in leaves - due to photosynthesis

Food needs to be transported to other parts of the plants for respiration