Chapter 1.5 specialisation in plant cells

Question 1

Name two adaptations of a root hair cell?

Answer 1

• They greatly increase the surface area available for water to move into
• They have a large permanent vacuole that speeds up the movement of water by osmosis from the soil across the root hair cell.

Question 2

what does a root hair cell consist of?

Answer 2

• Nucleus
• Large permanent vacuole
• Mitochondria
• Root hair

Question 3

What does a plant cell consist of?

Answer 3

• Cell membrane
• Cell wall
• Cytoplasm
• Permanent vacuole
• Chloroplasts
• Nucleus
• Mitochondria
• Ribosome

Question 4

What do xylem cells carry?

Answer 4

Xylem cells carry water and minerals ions from the roots to the highest leaves and shoots.

Question 5

What do phloem cells carry?

Answer 5

Phloem cells carry the food made by photosynthesis around the body of the plant.

Question 6

Name two adaptations of the phloem cells.

Answer 6

• The cell wall between the cells break down to form special sieve plates. These allow water carrying dissolved food to move freely up and down the tubes to where it is needed.
• Phloem cells lose a lot of their internal structures but they are supported by companion cells that help to keep them alive.

Question 7

Name two adaptations of the xylem cells.

Answer 7

• 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 easily through them, from one end of the plant to the other.
• The spirals and rings of lignin in the xylem cells make them very strong and help them withstand the pressure of water moving up the plant. They also help support the plant stem.