Transport in plants

• What are root hair cells used for in plants?

  Taking in minerals and water
• What are the two types of transport tubes in flowering plants?

  Xylem and phloem
• What do root hairs grow into?

  Hairs that stick out into the soil
• Why do plants have millions of root hairs?

  To increase surface area for absorption
• How are mineral ions absorbed by root hairs?

  By active transport
• How is water absorbed by root hairs?

  By osmosis
• What are phloem tubes made of?

  Living cells
• What are the end walls of phloem cells called?

  Sieve plates
• What do the small holes in sieve plates allow?

  Stuff to flow through
• Where do plants make food substances?

  In their leaves
• What do phloem tubes transport around the plant?

  Food substances, mainly sugars
• What is the process called that phloem tubes use to transport food?

  Translocation
• What do companion cells in phloem tubes do?

  Cooperate to carry out functions
• What are xylem tubes made of?

  Dead cells
• What is found down the middle of xylem cells?

  A hole
• What material makes xylem cells stronger?

  Lignin
• What do xylem tubes carry from the roots?

  Water and mineral ions
• What is the transpiration stream?

  Movement of water from roots to leaves
• In which direction do phloem tubes transport substances?

  Any direction
• In which direction do xylem tubes transport substances?

  Only upwards
• What is the process of transpiration in plants?

  • Loss of water from plant surface
  • Usually occurs through leaves
  • Caused by evaporation of water
• What are stomata?

  Small openings on plant leaves
• What happens when stomata are open?

  Water evaporates from the plant
• What is the first step in understanding the transpiration stream?

  Make sure you understand all about it
• What is the question regarding the structure of phloem tubes?


  Describe the structure of phloem tubes