transport in plants - key term

Question 1

Define the function of xylem

Answer 1

transport water and mineral ions, and support the plant’s overall structure.

Question 2

Define the function of phloem

Answer 2

transport sucrose and amino acids from the sink to the source (and vice versa)

Question 3

Define the function of root hair cells

Answer 3

to absorb water and minerals from the soil
They have an elongated shape for a larger surface area, which increases the water absorption rate by osmosis and ions by active transport.

Question 4

Define transpiration

Answer 4

loss of water vapour from leaves, which evaporates from the surface of the mesophyll cells into the air spaces and diffuses out of the leaves through the stomata.

Question 5

Define temperature

Answer 5

The kinetic energy of the water molecules increases, so they evaporate and diffuse faster from the mesophyll cells, increasing the transpiration rate

Question 6

Define humidity

Answer 6

Low humidity increases the concentration gradient between the leaf and the atmosphere, hence increasing the transpiration rate

Question 7

Define wind speed

Answer 7

Removing water molecules to maintain a steep concentration gradient

Question 8

Define translocation

Answer 8

Movement of sucrose and amino acids in the phloem from regions of production (sources) to regions of storage or regions of utilisation in respiration or growth (sinks).