Water & Mineral Ion Transport: Pathways & Mechanisms

Question 1

Within a plant, mineral ions and organic compounds (e.g. sucrose) are transported while dissolved in water. The dissolved mineral ions are transported in the………. and dissolved organic

Answer 1

xylem tissue and the dissolved organic compounds are transported in the phloem tissue

Question 2

The plant roots are responsible for the

and can have root hairs which..

Answer 2

uptake of water and mineral ions

can have root hairs to increase the surface area for absorption of the substances

Question 3

The uptake of water is a passive process and occurs by

Answer 3

osmosis

Question 4

The uptake of minerals can be passive or active and occurs by

Answer 4

diffusion or active transport respectively

Question 5

Plants must take in a constant supply of water and dissolved minerals to compensate for the continuous loss of …….. and to carry out……… and produce……..

Answer 5

compensate for the continuous loss of water via transpiration in the leaves, and so that they can photosynthesise and produce proteins

Question 6

There are two pathways that water (and the dissolved solutes) can take to move across the cortex (and molecules can change between routes at any time):

Answer 6

Apoplast (also known as apoplastic)
Symplast (also known as symplastic