Question

Describe an activity to show that stems conduct water and minerals.

Answer 1

Gently pull out a plant with white flowers from the soil. Wash its roots and cut the roots underwater. Dip the lower end of the cut stem in a bottle containing water, to which a few drops of red ink have been added. Leave the plant undisturbed for a few hours and observe the plant carefully. You will notice that the colour of the white flower changes to red. Remember that you have already cut the roots of the plant. It means that stem conducts red ink from water to the flower. This activity shows that stem conducts water and minerals upwards.