Transport In Plants Flashcards
What is capillarity?
The adhesion of water to the walls of a small tube(e.g xylem)
What factors affect transpiration
Humidity: low = high trans
Temp: high=high trans
Wind speed: high= high trans (water blown away which increases water gradient + decrease humidity)
What does the xylem do?
It transports water and mineral ions to all parts of plants.
What is the xylem made of?
Dead cells and lighting which strengthens the walls
What does the phloem do?
It transports sucrose, amino acids and plant growth substances
It also flows up and down where as the xylem only flows upwards
What is the phloem made of
The cell wall is made up of cellulose
Describe the movement of water through a plant
Water is absorbed by the roots and moves into the xylem via osmosis. It then travels up the stem due to the tension caused by transpiration and cohesion and capillarity. The water then moves into the palisade cells by osmosis and then into the spongy mesophyll and then diffuses/ evaporates into the air.