8.2 water uptake

• root hair cell - specialised cell found in roots

  • specially adapted to absorb water & minerals from soil
• root hair cells have root hairs which are extensions/outgrowths of epidermal cells
• large surface area of root hairs increases uptake of water & mineral ions
• large surface area increases rate of absorption of:

  • water by osmosis
  • mineral ions by active transport
• pathway of water (from soil to stomata, which diffuses out)

  root hair cells > root cortex cells > xylem > mesophyll cells