Transport of Water

Question 1

how do plants take in water from the soil?

Answer 1

they take in water through their root hairs, and these are the main site of water absorption by the roots

Question 2

what are adaptions of root hair cells to take in water?

Answer 2

• they are thin walled (short distance)
• have hair like extensions that greatly increase the surface area of the root epidermis

Question 3

what is the role of root hair cells?

Answer 3

to absorb water and minerals from the soil

Question 4

why does the water move into the cells via osmosis?

Answer 4

• the water has some solutes dissolved in it but their concentration is much lower than the concentrations of solutes inside the root hair cells
• mineral ions are actively transported into the root hair cells
• the soil water has a higher concentration of water molecules and water will enter the cell via osmosis

Question 5

how does water travel up the xylem?

Answer 5

• water continues to move down a water concentration gradient from where there are more water molecules to where there are fewer water molecules
• this gradient is maintained as water being continually being taken up by the xylem in the middle of the root
• the water is carried in the xylem vessels to all parts of the plant