SB6c- Absorbing water and mineral ions

• What adaptions do root hair cells have?

  • Thin cell wall
  • Large surface area
  • Lots of mitochondria
• How is having a large surface area beneficial to the root hair cell?

  A large surface area allows for better absorption of water to enter the cell because of the protruding hair like structures.
• How is having lots of mitochondria beneficial to the root hair cell?

  Lots of mitochondria provides a lot of energy for active transport, which is needed as it goes against the concentration gradient.
• How does having a thin cell wall benefit the root hair cell?

  A thin cell wall allows active transport and osmosis to happen more efficiently, as it minimises the distance ions need to travel
• What can diffusion and active transport move in a plant?

  Dissolved solutes like sugars or mineral ions
• When does a concentration gradient exist?

  When there is a region of high concentration leading to a region of low concentration
• How is active transport used in root hair cells?

  Active transport goes against the concentration gradient. When plants take up mineral ions, ions are moved into root hairs, where they are in a higher concentration than in dilute solutions in the soil. Active transport occurs across the root so that plants takes in the ions it needs from the soil around it.