Transport System in Plants

Question 1

Transport System

Answer 1

Multicellular organisms require to transport a variety of materials around their structure. Many of these transport systems require diffusion or osmosis to take place. Many of these transport systems have evolved a large surface area to overcome the surface area to volume issue and allow transport to take place efficiently.

Question 2

Transport of water

Answer 2

Plants need water to photosynthesise. Water is also needed for transporting materials which are dissolved in the water.

Question 3

How water and minerals are transported

Answer 3

Water and minerals are transported up through the stem of a plant in
xylem. Xylem is composed of non-living hollow tubes (vessels)
Xylem cells have rings of lignin to withstand the pressure changes as water moves through the plant.

Question 4

Transport of sugar

Answer 4

Sugars are carried up and down the plant in special living vessels called phloem vessels.

Question 5

Phloem

Answer 5

Phloem is composed of sieve tubes and companion cells. The cytoplasm in sieve tubes is continuous from cell to cell through holes in the sieve plates, allowing sugar to be transported to all parts of the plant. Sieve tubes lack nuclei and their activities are controlled by neighbouring companion cell.