Incomplete 9 - Transport in plants Flashcards
Why do plants need transport systems? (5)
- low SA:V ratio (can’t rely on diffusion alone
- mineral ions need transporting from roots to area of growth
- hormones
- size - big so substances need transporting great distances
- some areas don’t photosynthesise - sucrose needs transporting from source to sink
What does the root structure (in terms of xylem) look like in dicots and why?
xylem arranged in x shape in center (withstand forces such as pulling)
What does the stem structure (in terms of vascular bundles) look like in dicots and why?
Xylem is located on the inside to provide support and flexibility to the stem
Phloem is found on the outside of the vascular bundle
What does the leaf structure (in terms of vascular bundles) look like in dicots and why?
vascular bundles form the veins of a leaf, dicots veins branch off from center to improve transport and give support
What is the role of the xylem?
Transport water and minerals and give structural support
What is the structure of the xylem? (4)
- Long cylinders made of dead tissue with open ends, form a continuous column.
- Lignified walls (waterproof, structure, keep open)
- Unlignified pits (water can flow sideways in case of blockages)
- One way flow
What is the structure of the phloem? (4)
- They are tubes made of living cells
- Sieve tube elements joined by sieve plates
- companion cells joined by plasmodesmata (lots of mitochondria for active transport)
- two-way flow
What is the role of the phloem?
Transport sucrose and assimilates from source to sink
Why do plants need a water transport system?
Water is absorbed in the roots but needed in the leaves for photosynthesis
Water is used to transport sucrose, minerals and hormones
How do plants loose water?
Stoma open to let co2 in for photosynthesis. Consequently, water diffusés out of plant
What is transpiration
The loss of water from the leaves of a plant
Name 4 factors that affect the rate of transpiration
Temperature
Light intensity
Humidity
Air movement
How does temperature affect the rate of transpiration
Greater KE, more frequent collisions, greater rate of diffusion
How does light intensity affect the rate of transpiration
Greater rate of photosynthesis, greater co2 demand, stoma open more, more transpiration
How does humidity affect the rate of transpiration
More water vapour in air, less steep conc. gradient, lower rate of diffusion
How does air movement affect the rate of transpiration
Windy = moisture in air moved away from stomata, steeper conc. gradient, greater rate of diffusion
How are the roots adapted to their function? (2)
- greater sa, greater area for osmosis
- single cell thick, short diffusion pathway
How does water get from soil to inside a plant?
High water potential outside roots, water moves in through osmosis (through cell wall and then plasma membrane)
What is the apoplast pathway?
Water moving through connecting cell walls (adhesive and cohesive properties)
What is the symplast pathway?
Water moves through cytoplasms of cells and through plasmodesmata (diffusion)
What pathway does the majority of the water travelling through a plant take and why?
Apoplast pathway (faster)
When does the water travelling in the apoplast pathway join the symplast pathway?
When it reaches the endodermis (casparian strip of waxy suberin)
What is the role of the casparian strip?
Made of waxy suberin, prevents water from progressing further in apoplast pathway so it join the symplast pathway
Pathogens in water will not be able to join and therefore unable to spread via xylem