Xylem

• What does xylem tissue do?

  Transports water & mineral ions in solution

  These substances move UP the plant from the roots to the leaves
• What are xylem vessels?

  Part of the xylem tissue that actually transports the water and ions
• What are xylem vessels like?

  Very long, tube-like structures formed from dead cells joined end to end
• Benefit of there being no end walls on the dead cells/xylem vessels?

  Makes an uninterrupted tube that allows water to pass up through the middle easily
• What help water move up plants?

  Cohesion and tension
• What do cohesion and tension do?

  Help water move up plants, from roots to leaves, against force of gravity
• Where does water evaporate from leaves?

  At the 'top' of the xylem

  This creates tension (suction )which pulls more water into the leaf
• What does it mean that water molecules are cohesive?

  They stick together
• Explain the effect of water molecules being cohesive?

  When some are pulled into the leaf, others follow

  = whole column of water in the xylem, from leaves down to roots, moves upwards
• Where does water enter the STEM?

  Through the ROOTS