plant cell specialisation.

• root hair cells are specialised to absorb water by osmosis and mineral ions by active transport from the soil as they are found in the tips of the roots.

  . has a large surface area so more water can be absorbed

  . large permanent vacuole which affects the speed of movement of water from soil to the cell.
• mitochondria to provide energy from respiration for the active transport of mineral ions into the root hair cells.


  .covered with hairs which increases the surface area of the root, so it can absorb water and dissolve mineral ions more effectively.
• xylem cells: is found in the plant stem, they form long tubes

  .these tubes carry water and dissolved minerals from the roots to the leaves

  .xylem cells have very thick walls containing lignin, this provides support to the plant

  .the cell walls are covered with lignin -> this causes the xylem cells to die

  . the end walls between the cells have broken down -> this means that the cells now form a long tube so water and dissolved minerals can flow easily 


  xylem cells dont contain a: nucleus, chloroplast, cytoplasm or vacuole (makes it easier for for water and minerals to flow)
• phloem tubes carry dissolved sugars up and down the plant

  . phloem vessel cells has no nucleus&only limited cytoplasm

  . the end walls of the vessel cells have pores called sieve plates


  these features allow dissolved sugars to move through the cell interior

  . each phloem vessel cell has a companion cell connected by pores

  mitochondria in the companion cell provides energy to the phloem vessel cell.