Functioning Systems

Question 1

Name the two types of vascular tissue in plants.

Answer 1

There are two types of vascular tissue. Xylem is used for transporting water, and phloem is used for transporting nutrients.

Question 2

List three functions of roots.

Answer 2

• absorption of water and inorganic nutrients - anchoring of the plant body to the ground - function in storage of food and nutrients

Question 3

Explain how a plant can increase its surface area for water.

Answer 3

Plants absorb water from the soil by osmosis. Root hair cells are adapted for this by having a large surface area to speed up osmosis.

Question 4

Explain the forces that enable water in the xylem vessel to reach the tip of a tree.

Answer 4

The main driving force of water uptake and transport into a plant is transpiration of water from leaves. Transpiration is the process of water evaporation through specialized openings in the leaves, called stomates.

Question 5

Describe the function of vascular tissue in plants.

Answer 5

Vascular tissue transports water and nutrients throughout a plant.