Plant Organ System

• The roots, stem and leaves form a plant organ system for transport of substances around the plant.
• Root hair cells are adapted for the efficient uptake of water by osmosis, and mineral ions by active transport
• Xylem tissue transports water and mineral ions from the roots to the stems and leaves. It is composed of hollow tubes strengthened by lignin adapted for the transport of water in the transpiration stream.
• The role of stomata and guard cells are to control gas exchange and water loss.
• Phloem tissue transports dissolved sugars from the leaves to the rest of the plant for immediate use or storage. The movement of food molecules through phloem tissue is called translocation.
• Phloem is composed of tubes of elongated cells. Cell sap can move from one phloem cell to the next through pores in the end walls.