Transport of Water in Plants

Question 1

How does water enter the plant?

Answer 1

1. Plant roots absorb soil water through diffusion.
2. Root hair cells, with long, microscopic hairs, provide a large surface area.
3. This diffusion allows water to move into the plant root.
4. Root hair cells also absorb minerals like nitrates, which are transported in water

Question 2

How does water move around the plant?

Answer 2

1. Specialised plant tissue.
2. Tubes run from root to leaves.
3. Part of plant transport system.
4. Water moves up xylem, transporting dissolved minerals to cells.

Question 3

How does water leave the plant?

Answer 3

1. Leaves are crucial for photosynthesis and gas exchange.
2. Stomata, tiny holes on leaves, are surrounded by special cells which regulate the opening and closing.
3. Carbon dioxide for photosynthesis moves into stomata, while spare oxygen from photosynthesis moves out.
4. Whenever this stomata are open, water evaporates from the cells of the leaves and move out through the stomata via diffusion.
5. When it is hot or windy, more transpiration takes place because more water evaporates from the leaves.

Question 4

What is transpiration?

Answer 4

Transpiration refers to the evaporation of water from the surface of leaves.

Question 5

What is a transpiration stream?

Answer 5

An unbroken column of water from the roots through xylem, to the leaves and finally evaporation to the atmosphere

Question 6

What are the factors affecting transpiration?

Answer 6

1. Temperature - DP
2. Humidity - IP
3. Air Movement - DP
4. Light Intensity - DP