The roots

• Root hair cells


  Cells on the surface of the root that increase the surface area for absorption of water and mineral ions
• Root hair cells


  • Have a large surface area to increase the rate of osmosis of water and diffusion and active transport of mineral ions
  • Can absorb at multiple points to increase surface area
• Larger surface area of root hair cells


  Absorption happens more quickly
• Smaller surface area of root hair cells

  Absorption happens more slowly
• Osmosis of water into root hair cells

  1. Higher concentration of water outside the cell

  2. Lower concentration of water inside the cell

  3. Water moves from high to low concentration
• Active transport of mineral ions into root hair cells

  1. Lower concentration of mineral ions outside the cell

  2. Higher concentration of mineral ions inside the cell

  3. Protein carrier molecules in cell membrane use energy to transport ions from low to high concentration
• Root hair cells are an adaptation that increases the surface area of the roots
• Protein carrier molecule is embed in the cell membrane to increase the rate of active transport