How Minerals Are Transported in Plants

Water is found in the spaces between the soil particles. Water and mineral salts first enter
through the cell wall and cell membrane of the root hair cell by osmosis. Root hair cells are
outgrowths at the tips of plants' roots (Figure 5.27). They function solely to take up water and
mineral salts. Root hair cells do not perform photosynthesis, and do not contain chloroplasts as
they are underground and not exposed to sunlight. These cells have large vacuoles which allow
storage of water and mineral salts. Their small diameter (5-17 micrometers) and greater length
(1500 micrometers) ensure they have a large surface area over which to absorb water and
mineral salts. Water fills the vacuole of the root hair cell. This is how the root hair is adapted to
absorb water from the soil:
1. There are many, elongated root hairs to increase the total root surface area for water
absorption.
2. They have thin walls to speed up the intake of water by osmosis.
3. They have large vacuoles to absorb water quickly and transport it to the next cells.
4. The vacuoles have salts, which speed up water absorption from soil water.
5. Root hairs do not have cuticles, as this would prevent water absorption.
Water can move from the root hair cells and across the parenchyma cells of the cortex in two
major ways. Some water passes through the cells by osmosis. Most water travels either in, or
between the cell walls (of the parenchyma cells) by simple diffusion. The water must pass
through the endodermis to enter the xylem. Once water is in the xylem of the root, it will pass
up the xylem of the stem.
The xylem transports water and minerals from the roots up the plant stem and into the leaves.
In a mature flowering plant or tree, most of the cells that make up the xylem are specialized
cells called vessels. Vessels lose their end walls so the xylem forms a continuous, hollow tube.
They become strengthened by a chemical called lignin. The cells are no longer alive. Lignin gives
strength and support to the plant. We call lignified cells wood. Transport in the xylem is a
physical process and does not require energy. The phloem moves food substances that the
plant has produced by photosynthesis to where they are needed for processes such as:
1. growing parts of the plant for immediate use
2. storage organs such as bulbs and tubers
3. developing seeds.
Transport in the phloem is therefore both up and down the stem. Transport of substances in
the phloem is called translocation. Phloem consists of living cells. The cells that make up the
phloem are adapted to their function:
1. Sieve tubes - specialized for transport and have no nuclei. Each sieve tube has a
perforated end so its cytoplasm connects one cell to the next.
2. Companion cells - transport of substances in the phloem requires energy. One or more
companion cells attached to each sieve tube provide this energy. A sieve tube is
completely dependent on its companion cell(s).