Section 3 - Plant Transport Systems Flashcards
What does the xylem transport and from where to where?
The xylem transports nitrates, phosphates, water and other mineral salts from the roots to other parts of the plant, like the leafs, flowers and buds
What is the xylem made of?
The xylem consists of columns of hollow, dead cells
What are the substances carried up the xylem in?
The substances are carried up the tube dissolved in water
How is water absorbed by root hair cells?
Water is absorber by the root hair cells through osmosis
What are the three possible ways substances can move in and out of cells?
1) Active Transport
2) Osmosis
3) Diffusion
What is a turgid cell?
A turgid cells is one that is, effectively, full of water; this increases the volume of the cytoplasm, which exerts pressure outwards.
Why are turgid cells important?
As these cells are stronger, so they are able to support the plant - meaning the plant can grow upwards
Describe the phloem tissue and what it is made up of
The phloem tissue has tube like cells, which carry dissolved substances like sucrose and amino acids around the plant. The phloem is made up of columns of living cells
What is transpiration and how does it work?
Transpiration is the name given to the process by which water is evaporated from the surface of a plant.
Heat, from sunlight, is absorbed into the leaf, which turns liquid water into gas, the gas then leaves the leaf through the stomata
How does humidity impact the rate of transpiration?
Increased humidity will decrease transpiration
This is because high water content outside the leaf will mean there is little difference in concentration, so the water will not be able to move, as it naturally does, from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.
How does wind speed impact the rate of transpiration?
Increased wind speed will increase transpiration
This is because if the wind blows away the water vapour being produced, there will be a greater difference in water concentration. This means that water will be able to continue leaving the leaf.
How does temperature impact the rate of transpiration?
Increased temperature will increase transpiration
This is because the increased heat makes evaporating easier
How does light intensity impact the rate of transpiration?
Increased light intensity will increase transpiration
This is because there is more heat to be absorbed by the leaf meaning more water will be evaporated. Also, there is more photosynthesis, meaning more water is being transported through the leaf (so more will need to leave the leaf)
How can we experiment the role of environmental factors in deterring the rate of transpiration?
Support a plant in a tray filled with a given amount of water
Place it in different conditions and record the time taken for all the water in the way to be taken up by the plant