transport vessels/ mineral uptake

• What is the primary function of root hair cells?

  Absorb water from the soil
• How do root hair cells absorb water?

  By osmosis through a high water potential gradient
• What is the role of xylem tissue in plants?

  Transport water and minerals
• What surrounds the xylem tissue in roots?

  A single layer of endodermis cells
• What are the three pathways for water transport in plants?

  • Apoplast: through the cell wall
  • Symplast: through the cytoplasm and plasmodesmata
  • Vacuolar: from vacuole to vacuole
• What is the function of the Casparian strip in the endodermis?

  Prevents transport via the apoplast
• What is root pressure?

  A force created by water entering the xylem
• How are minerals absorbed by roots?

  By active transport from the soil solution
• What happens to minerals when they reach the endodermis?

  They must enter the cytoplasm due to the Casparian strip
• What are the two main types of vascular tissue in plants?

  Xylem and phloem
• What are the four types of cells that make up xylem?

  • Vessels
  • Tracheids
  • Fibres
  • Xylem parenchyma
• Why are vessels and tracheids considered dead cells?

  Lignin makes their walls impermeable
• What is the main function of xylem vessels?

  Transport water and mineral salts
• How is vascular tissue organized in different plant parts?

  • Stems: peripheral vascular bundles for flexible support
  • Leaves: midrib and vein network for strength
  • Roots: central arrangement for resistance to vertical stresses
• What is the stele in plant roots?

  The vascular tissue surrounded by endodermis