Specialisation In Plant Cells

Question 1

Root hair cells

Answer 1

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.
The absorbed water is transported through the roots to the rest of the plant where it is used for different purposes:
It is a reactant used in photosynthesis
It supports leaves and shoots by keeping the cells rigid
It cools the leaves by evaporation
It transports dissolved minerals around the plant

Question 2

Photosynthetic cells

Answer 2

In plants and algae, which developed much later, photosynthesis occurs in a specialized intracellular organelle—the chloroplast. Chloroplasts perform photosynthesis during the daylight hours.

Question 3

Xylem cells

Answer 3

The most distinctive xylem cells are the long tracheary elements that transport water. Tracheids and vessel elements are distinguished by their shape; vessel elements are shorter, and are connected together into long tubes that are called vessels.

Question 4

Phloem cells

Answer 4

Phloem vessels are involved in translocation. This is the movement of food substances from the stems to growing tissues and storage tissues.