Question 4
How are water and minerals transported in plants?
Question 4
How are water and minerals transported in plants?
In plants, water and minerals are transported through xylem cells from soil to the leaves. The xylem cells of roots, stems and leaves are interconnected to form a conducting channel that reaches all parts of the plant body. The root cells take ions from the soil. This creates a difference between the concentration of ions present in roots and soil. Therefore, there is a steady movement of water into the xylem. An osmotic pressure builds up, there is a movement of water and minerals from one cell to the other cell due to osmosis. The continuous loss of water takes place due to transpiration. Transpiration creates a suction pressure as a result of which water is forced into the xylem cells of roots. The effect of root pressure for transportation in plants is more important at night while during daytime transpiration pull becomes the major driving force.
In plants, water and minerals are transported through xylem cells from soil to the leaves. The xylem cells of roots, stems and leaves are interconnected to form a conducting channel that reaches all parts of the plant body. The root cells take ions from the soil. This creates a difference between the concentration of ions present in roots and soil. Therefore, there is a steady movement of water into the xylem. An osmotic pressure builds up, there is a movement of water and minerals from one cell to the other cell due to osmosis. The continuous loss of water takes place due to transpiration. Transpiration creates a suction pressure as a result of which water is forced into the xylem cells of roots. The effect of root pressure for transportation in plants is more important at night while during daytime transpiration pull becomes the major driving force.
