UNIT:1

1
Transportin
Plants

og|oul2

TRANSPORT
IN PLANTS
SYLLABUS
Diffusion definition;
Osmosis - definition, example semipermeable membrane, root pressure;
active transport.
Transpiration - definition, importance and factors affecting transpiration.
Structure and function of Xylem and Phloem in detail.
Importance of minerals: macro and micro-nutrients: three deficiency
diseases caused by lack of these essential nutrients.

TRANSPORT IN PLANTS carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The

You have already learnt that plants can water along with minerals is abSorbed from
prepare their own food by a process called the soil through the roots. It is then transported
photosynthesis. For this process, plants require upwards to the leaves of theplant.
carbon dioxide and water. The leaves take in The food prepared by the leaves is
transported to all parts of the plant including
Absorption and SHOOT
roots.
distribution of
water and
minerals by
roots from the
|Transportation in plants is the
soil Manufacture of
prócess in which substances absorbed or
ROOT
food by leaves synthesized in one part of the plant are
and distribution
to all plant parts. moved to other parts of the plant.
Transportation of water and food in
plants is carried out by a conducting system
consisting of two main tissues xylem and
Fig 1.1 The root (uinderground) and the shoot (above phloem. Together, they form the vascular
ground) are the conducting systems of a plant bundle.
Transport in Plants
HE CONDUCTING OR TRANSPORTING Functions of xylem
TISSUES
The main function of xylem
Kylem : This tissue forms a tubular of
xylem is transportatiy
water and mineral salts
passage to transport water and mineral salts
from the roots to the aerial parts of the plant.
2.
roets to the aerial parts of
the from
Tracheids, vessels and xylem plant.
th
The xylemissue consi_tsof four types
cells:xylem tracheids, xylem vessels, xylen3
fibres and xylem parenchyma.
provide mechanical
Support to the plant. sclerenchymeand
strength
Tracheids are elongated dead cell_ with The rings seen in the trunk of
an old
tapering ends. Their walls have thickenings which hasbeen cut transversely tree
with lateralpores. They provide mechanical are the
xylem rings. The age of a tree can b
strength and support to the plant in addition determined by counting the number of rine
toconducting water upwards.
Vessels. They are tube-like structures Activity 1
open at both ends. They are placed To study xylem as the water
one above the other, to form long tissue. conducting
ccllchannels. Just like tracheids, they provide Take a soft twig of aflowering plant
mechanical support to, the plant and and put it in a beaker containing
conduct water upwards. Add a few drops of red ink to the water.
water.
Xylem or wood parenchyma. (They are Leave the twig in this water for half an
small, thick walled(living cells/They store hour. Cut a thin slice of the stem of the
food and also help to conduct water and twig. Keep this slice of the stem on a
mineral salts. glass slide. Put a few drops of water on
the slide. Observe the slide under a
microscope. You will observe that only
the xylem gets stained as water is
transported up through xylem.
PHLOEM
VESSEL XYLEM

TRACHEID

THICKENINGS

Fig 1.2 LS. of Xylem

Xylem Xylemconducts water in plants
They aresclerenchyma or(wood fibres.)
thick walled, long, Phloem :[t transports food plant. It is
manufactured
narrow
with tapering ends. They provide cells various parts of thealong with
mechanical support to the plant. only by
byleaves to
of vascular
bundle and
a part
Concise BIOLOGY - Middie School -8
42
 xylem, phloem also extends along the
lerngthoftheplant body, in the root. stem, anctions of phloem
branches and leaves.) Phloem transports food prepared by
The phloem tissue consists of the the leaves to all parts of the plant.
following four types of cells : sieve tubes, YPhloerm parenchyma helps in the storage
of food. The phloem sclerenchyma
Companion cells, phloem parenchyma and
phloem fibres. tphloem fibres) provides mechanical
Sieve tubes are formed of cylindrical support to the plant.
cells that are devoid of nucleus. They Kinds of conducting tissues in plants
are found arranged in vertical rows, Conducting Tissues
placed end to end. (Their end walls are
perforated and are called sieve plates. sXylem Tissue Bhloem Tissue
-Xylem tracheids Sieve tubes
Through these sieve plates, food 2 Xylem vessels Companion cells
material passes from cell to cell. Thus,
sieve tubes play an important role in Xylem parenchyma Phloem

transporting food. Xylem fibers

parenichyma
Phloem fibers
Companion cells are (living thin walled, Differences between xylem and phloem
elongated cells found attached to the
sides of the sieve tubes. These cells help Xylem Phloem
the sieve tubes in the conduction of . Conducts water andKÍranslocates food
from the leaves to
food. mineral salts from
the roots to the the storage organs
Phloem parenchyma is formed of thin aerial parts of the and growing parts
walled parenchymatous cells. These cells plant. of the plant.
store food. 2Made of2:Made up of sieve
Phloem fibres_ are dead sclerenchyma tracheids, vessels, tubes, companion
phloem
fibres formed of elongated cells. These xylem prenchyma cells,
parenchymá and
and xylem fibres.
fibres provide mechanical strength and phloem fibres.
support to the plant.
Pores in the sieve 8. Conducting cells 3. Conducting cells
plate Phloem sap vessels and tracheids) (sieve tubes) are
passes through
the pores in sieve
are dead. living,
plates 4Conduction is 4. Conduction is

Sieve unidirectional. bidirectional.

plate
5Conduction does 5. Conduction requires
Sieve tube not require any expenditure of
element expenditure of energy.
Companion energy.
cell
|The roots alone can absorb water,
Sieve plate
whereas the leaves or the stem cannot.
This property of the roots can be demons
Fig 1.3 LS. of phloem
trated by a simple activity given ahead.
33 Transport in Plants
 Activity 2 Result of the experiment
Test Tube Observation
Only the roots absorb water. Conclusion
Water level No loss of water.
Take four test tubes and mark them A, B, remains
Cand D. unchanged.
Fill water in test tubes A, B andCup to
about three-quarters, and only a little
amount of water in test tube D. B Water level fallsWater was
[not by evapora- |absorbed by the 1
tion from the
water surface
plant through its
buOIL roots dipped in
due to the water.
-OIL
presence of oil].
C
A B D
Water level falls Water got into the
just as in tube B,plant through the
Start of the experiment but here, the veins roots, and reached
in the leaves have the leaves.
Fix a cork firmly over the mouth of test -OIL
taken up the red
tube A and leave it. colour of water.
Take three young small-sized plants
such as balsamn with their roots intact. D The leaves The leaves lost
Wash their roots under tapwater and shrivelled up. water by evapo
insert them in the test tubes B, Cand ration, that could
D in a manner that the roots get not be replaced
by absorption
fully dipped in water in test tubes B and through the roots.
Cbut remain well above the water level
in test tube D.

In C, add a dye (such as pink-coloured (Transport of Food

carmine) to water. Pour a few drops of |During
oil (like mustard oil) in B and Cwhich produce theirphotosynthesis, the plants
food as glucose which is
will float on the surface and prevent any stored in the form of starch. This starch is
loss of water by evaporation. transported in the form of a
Mark the levels of water in the four solution through the phloem sucrose
test tubes with a marker. Leave this set downwards to all upwards and
parts of the plant
up for about 24 hours and look for any including its roots. This is also called
change in their water levels. translocation of solutes (food)]

Concise BIOLOGY - Middle School8 4

WATER ABSORPTION BY THE ROOTS inner cell membrane. The outer cell wall is
We are familiar with the absorption of rigid and the inner cell membrane encloses
ater by blotting paper or by cotton dipped the nucleus, cytoplasm and its contents.
water. In both cases, water is absorbed The cell wall is said to be freely
vthe property of capllarity (attraction of permeable as it allows all substances to
ater molecules towards narrow spaces) pass through it. The cell membrane is
nd surface tension. But the absorption of semi-permeable. It allows the water
ater by the roots is quite different. To molecules to pass through it, but prevents
nderstand it, let us first consider the the entry of any larger molecules. Thís
tructure of the roots. feature of the cell membrane facilitates the
movement of water molecules from the
The root system of plants consists of a soil into the root cells.
iain root, which gives out lateral (branch)
oots. The lateral roots bear a large The cell sap in the root hair cell is said
mumber of fine outgrowths called root to be of ahigh concentration as it contains
airs\(Fig. 1.4). more solutes compared to the surrounding
soil water. This promotes water absorption.
specialityy of root hairs
LATERAL ROOT
|The root hairs are well-suited for
ROOT-HAIRS absorbing water from the soil in three
ways :
MAIN ROOT kThe numerous root hairs provide a
large surface area. More the surface
Fig 1.4 Root system of a plant area, greater is the absorption.
Root hairs contain cell sap which is
RO0Tview
HAIR: Given below is a
of a root hair (Fig. 1.5) It of a higher concentration than the
nàgnified surrounding soil water.
(extension) of an
s a long protuberance
epidermal cell of the root. This cell being 8. The cell wall is freely permeable, i.e.,
and an permits movements of all types of
plant cell, has an outer cell wall
substances. But the cell membrane is
semi-permeable. It allows only some
CELL WALL
substances to pass through it.
CELL MEMBRANE EPIDERMAL CELLS
OF THE ROOT The nature of a semi-permeable
CYTOPLASM
membrane can be illustrated by the
NUCLEUS following diagram (Fig. 1.6).
The semi-permeable membrane lies
ROOT-HAIR between water on one side (A) and a
strong sugar solution on the other side (B).
Fig. 1.5 A root hair (highly magnified) While the sugar solution has a higher
5
Transport in Plants
concentration of sugar molecules, there are simple process of diffusion In da
no sugar molecules in water. time, carbon dioxide diffuses from day
In other words, side A, containing only the atmosphere into the leaf cells
water molecules is a dilute solution, and oxygen diffuses out from the
whereas side B, containing sugar solution leaf cells into the atmosphere
is a concentrated solution as here the during photosynthesis.
water molecules are comparatively less and This movement of molecules
Sugar molecules are more. gas, T+quid or solid from
WATER MOLECULES CAN Coll mcmmbsan
higher
concentration to lower concentration
EASILY PASS THROUGH
THESE PORES
SEMI-PERMEABLE MEMBRANE is called diffusion.
Osmosis : It is the movement of
water molecules from its region of
higher concentration through a semi
permeable membrane to the region of
its lower concentration.
SUGAR
MORE WATER MOLECULES 8. Active transport :The root hairs
MOLECULES CANNOT PASS
GO IN THIS THROUGH absorb both water and minerals
DIRECTION THESE PORES
from the soil. Water enters the root
hair cell by osmosis, because
concentration of water molecules is
FEWER WATER
MOLECULES GO higher in the soil than inside the root
IN THIS DIRECTION
hairs. But in case of minerals,
Fig. 1.6Diagrammatic representation of the they are more in concentration
nature of a semi-permeable membrane ínside the root hairs than in the
soil. These minerals have to be
After a while it will be observed that absorbed from a level of lower
the level of water on side A decreases, and
the level of sugar solution on side B Concentration (soil) to a level of higher
concentration (cell). This movement of
increases. This ocCurs because water molecules from their lower concentration
molecules which are more on side A, have
moved across to side B, where they are to a higher concentration reguires energy
less in number. and is called active transport.
| The mnovement of water
a dilute solution to a
molecules from Activity 3
oncentrated solution
across a semi-permable membrane is Tostudy osmosis with the help of raisins
known as OSMOSIS.
(dried grapes) and fresh grapes.
Ahree types of movements of molecules Take two bowls named as A and B. In bowl
are seen
inyplants. A, pour some water and put some raisins
1 Diffusion : Soil water and minerals in it. In bowl B, take concentrated sugar
move into the root hair cell by the
solution and put some grapes in it. Leave
Concise BIOLOGY Middle School -8 6

A. Raisins in water B. Grapes in sugar solution
A. Raisins have swollen
B. Grapes have shrunk
the two set ups (A & B) undisturbed for
'two hours. Observe the size of raisins and
grapes atter some time in both the bowls.
In bowl A, raisins have swollen due to
endosmosis and in bowl B, grapes have
shrunk due to exosmosis.
These changes in their sizes have
happened due to the difference in the
concentrations of raisins and water and
also grapes and sugar solution. The outer
membrane of raisins and grapes is semi
permeable in nature which allows the entry
and exit of water molecules in and out of
the cells.
Ascent of sap :The water is absorbed by
the root hairs from the surrounding soil by
OSmosis. It then moves into the inner cells of
the root by cell-to-cell diffusion and osmosis
to reach the central xylem, which continues
upward into the stem and the leaves. This
upward movement of water and minerals
(called sap) is called ascent of sap.
Root pressure:|It is the pressure
developed in the root due to the continuous
inflow of water because of cell-to-cell
Osmosis. As a result of this pressure, water
enters the xylem vessels and helps in pushing orof water takes place upto a height of 100 m
the plant sap upwards. Thus, root pressure
to the
more. |
is one of the forces which contributes
SOIL
PARTICLE
ROOT
HAIR
MINERALS
WATER AND MINERALS
ENTERING INTO THE
ROOT HAIR
Fig. 1.7 Movement of water along with
minerals in a plant
ascent of sap through the stem into the leaves
uptoa certain height.|
FRANSPIRATION
You have learnt that plants continuously
absorb water through their roots. This water
is distributed through the stem to all parts of
the plant, including the leaves.Only a litle
amount of water is either retained in the plant
or utilised by it during photosynthesis. The
rest of it gets evaporated into the atmosphere
as water vapour through the stomata present
in the epidermis of the leaves by a process
called transpiration.
Transpiration is the loss of water in the
form of water vap our from the aerial
parts ofa plant.)
JAs a result of transpiration, a suction
force is created in the xylem vessel. This
force causes the water to be pulled up from
the xylem in the roots to the stem and then
to the leaves. This pulling force is called the
transpirational pull. This is very important
in tall trees where an upward conduction
Transport in Plants
 Xylem tissues are in the form of capillary
tubes, where narrower the diameter, greater
is the force of movement of water molecules
upwards. Whenever the xylem vessels lie
empty, such as during the loss of water by
transpiration,the water from below rises into
them by a capillary force. Water molecules
are pulled up due to their tendency of
remaining joined together (cohesion) and Úses of water in the plant
stick to the sides of the xylem vessels
The water absorbed by the
(adhesion).| important for the plant in three main roots i
Factors affecting the rate of transpiration Transportation, food production and ways-
The following main factors affect the rate
oftranspiration
A. Sunlight During daytime, the rate of
transpiration is faster. This is because the
stomata remain open to allow the
inward diffusion of carbon dioxide for
photosynthesis. During night time, the
stomata remain closed and hence
transpiration hardly occurs.
femperature :Transpiration is fasteron
hot summerdays due to faster
evaporation of water.
Wind :Transpiration is more when the
wind is blowing faster as water vapour |standingunder a tree during a hot summer
moves away faster from the surface of
leaves.
Afumidity :Transpiration
the air is humid. Air
is reduced if
cannot hold any
water molecules when it is already laden
with moisture (humidity).|
Amportance of transpiration in plants
KCooling effect :n transpiration, water
gets evaporated from the plant. The
heat required for this
obtained from the plantevaporation 15
itself (latent
heat) and thus the plant is able to cool
itself, when it is hot outside.
Concise BIOLOGY Middle 8
School8
2Transpiration helps in maintainino.
'Concentration of the
sap
plant body : 1 he rootS contintehe
absorb water from the soil.
inside
1f
theexcessap
water is not evaporated out,
would then become dilute,
further absorption of water proevngentinwigt
the minerals required by the alplant
ATransportation. The water in thecoolpln
ing
body, both in xylem and phloem
transports substances in asolution form
from one part to another.
2.Food production. Water is required for
photosynthesis. It combines with carbor
dioxide from the air in the presence of
sunlight and chlorophyll to produc:
glycose and oxygen.
3Cooling. The heat utilized when wate
is transpired from the surface of leaves
in the form of water vapour induces a
cooling effect.
You must have experienced that
midday, gives you a cooling effect. Ths
cooling is not entirely due to shade, but also
surface of
due to the loss of water from the
the leaves by evaporation.Since
evaporation
cool. The
produces coolness, it makes the air down
to settle
cool air being heavier, tends
and makes the surroundings pleasant.
Pndwe
Activity 4
To demonstrate transpiration.
well-watered
Take a small-sized, plant with a
Cover the
potted plant.polythene bag and tie
transparent

Release of water vapour by theplant
its mouth around the base of the pot.
Leave the plant in sunlight and note the
change after a few hours.
You will see drops of water on the inside
surface of the bag, which have appeared due
to the condensation of water vapour given out
by the plant. The experiment gives better
results when it is hot and sunny outside.
Activity 5
To demonstrate that the plants lose
water through leaves.
Take one small-sized, well-watered
potted plant having afew branches. Place
as
a polythene bag over its one branch
shown in Fig. (A) and tie it with a rubber
band.
Remove all the leaves from another
branch Fig. (B) of the same plant, cover
this too with a polythene bag and tie it
with a rubber band.
PLASTIC BAG
STICK
STICK
RUBBER
BAND
(Leaves intact)
RUBBER
BAND
theleaves
The plant loses water by
Place the plant in sunlight, and
observe it after 4-6 hours. You will
notice that drops have appeared on the
inner surface of the polythene bag over
branch A, while no water drop appears on
branch B.
Conclusion : This experiment indicates
that most water gets evaporated from
the plant through its leaves.
JMPORTANCE OF MINERALS
TNutrient elements (minerals) are
essential for the plants to grow well and
complete their life-cycle properly.
The nutrient elements are divided into
two broad categories macronutrients (macro :
large) required in larger concentrations, and
in very
micronutrients (nmicro : small) required
Small amounts. All of the nutrient elements are
obtained from thé soi
Activity 6
To study factors affecting the rate of
transpiration.
Take two small potted plants of same
type having equal number of anotherleaves.
Leave one plant undisturbed. In
plant, apply vaseline on either surface of
all leaves. 'Leave both the plants at same
place in sunlight. Observe and compare
the plants after 4-5 hours and record your
observations.
Plant with vaseline applied on its leaves
PLASTIC
BAG
appeared wilting because transpiration and
which is necessary for gaseous exchange
not take
water transport in the plant could
B
(Leaves removed) place.
Transport in Plants
9 9
 Some of the macro- and micro-nutrients, their occurrence in the plants and their
symptoms are given in table 1.1 below. There are several other deficiency diseases under
category which are beyond the scope of the syllabus.
deficiency
able 1.1:Macro-nutrients and micro-nutrients for the plants
Nutrients Role in the Plant Major Deficiency Symptoms
Macro-nutrients
LNitrogen (N) Major constituent of all proteins. Yellowing of leaves, wrinkling
of cereal grains.
2 Phosphoru_ (P) Constituent of cell membrane and Purple and red spots on leaves.
certain proteins. delay in seed germination.
3. Potassium (K) More abundant in growing tissues, Poor growth with reduced rate
involved in the opening and closing of transpíration.
of stomata.

Micro-nutrients
Iron (Fe) Constituent of some proteins. Yellowing of leaves.
2. Manganese (Mn) Constituent of some enzymes. Yellowing of leaves, with grey
spots.
3. Zinc (Zn) Constituent of plant hormones, Deshaped leaves, yellowing
activates enzymes. of leaves, stunted plant growth.

REVIEW QUESTIONS

Objective Type Questions :

Put a tick mark (/) against the correct alternative in the following statements :
(a) Diffusion occurs when molecules move:
(i) from lower concentration to higher concentration.
(ii) from higher concentration to lower concentration through a membrane.
(iii) from higher concentration to lower concentration.
(iv) when energy is used.
n Ascent of sap in plants takes place through :
(i) Cortex (ii) Epidermis
(iii) Xylem (iv) Phloem
(c) If the xylem vessels of a plant are plugged:
(i) The leaves will turn yellow (ii) No food will be made
(iii) The plant will wilt (shrivel) (iv) The plant willcontinue togrow
Concise BIOLOGY- Middle School -8 10
 Force responsible for the ascent of sap is :
(i) Capillary force (ii) Root pressure
(iii) Transpirational pull (iv) All the three
) Raisins swell when put in :
(i) Rain water (ii) Saline water
(iii) Mustard oil (iv) Saturated Sugar solution
The root hairs are suited for absorbing water from the soil because:
(i) They have a large surface area.
(ii) They have a semi-permeable membrane.
(ii) They contain a solution of higher concentration than the surrounding water.
(iv) All the three.
k) Transpiration is defined as
(i) the rise of water up to the stem of a plant.
(ii) the elimination of water with dissolved water products.
(ii) the loss of water as water vapour from the aerial parts of a plant.
(iv) the loss of water as water vapour from the roots as well as the leaves of the plant.
) Which one of the following favours the fastest transpiration rate ?
x() A
cool, humid, windy day < (ii) A hot, humid, windy day
i) A hot, humid, still day (iv) A hot, dry, windy day
Fill in the blanks with suitable terms given below :
(fast, leaves, conducting, ascent, humid)
(or Transportation in plants is carried out bý a. J . . system.
(b} The upward movment of sap that contains water aFd minerals is called.tasl. of sap.
se) Transpiration is more when the wind is blowing tast
a) Most water gets evaporated from the plant from its .hanu.
e) Transpiration is reduced if the air is
3. Match the terms given in Column A with thosegiven in Column B.
Column A Column B
( Phloem parenchyma (i) Cylindrical cells devoid of a nucleus
b) Tracheids (ii) Tubular cells forming long channels l
se Xylem vessels (iii) Cells attached to sieve tubes ,
s Sieve tubes (iv) Elongated dead cellsb
e Companion cells (v) Cells storing food ~

411 Transport in Plants

 State whether the following statements are True or False. Rewrite the
4.
false
(a) Water absorption mainly occurs through the root-hair.
(b) Water enters the root-hair by osmosis.
statements ,cotrey
(c) Water absorbed by the roots reaches the leaves and is used in producjns
food for the entire plant.
(d) Asemi-permeable membrane allows larger molecules to pass
but prevents the smaller ones. through,
(e) Transpiration is the loss of water from the roots of the plant.
(f) Transpiration cools the plant when it is hot outside.
5. Name the plant tissue which helps in carrying food to different parts of
6. Name the following:
a
plant.
(a) Two conducting tissues of the plants
(b) Four components of Xylem tissue
(c) Four components of Phloem tissue
(d) Three factors which increase the
rate of transpiration
(e) Three macronutrients
(f) Three micronutrients
Short Answer Questions :
1.
Define the following terms :
(a) Semi-permeable membrane
(b) Osmosis (c) Diffusion
(d) Transpiration (e)
(g) Root hairs Ascent of sap (f) Translocation of food
2.
Write two important functions of each of
(a) Xylem the following:
3.
(b) Phloem (c) Root
How are roots useful to the
4. plants ? Give any two points.
What do xylem vessels carry ?
5.
Under what conditions do a plant
6. transpire (a) more guickly and (b) most S
Mention two ways in which
7.
Write three important uses oftranspiration helps the plants.
8
What are the three special water in the plants.
forthe absorptiot
water from the soil? features of root hairs which make them suitable
9.
Give reasons:
(a)
Transpiration is reduced if the air is humid
Concise BIOLOGY Middle School 8
12