TRANSPORT

IN PLANTS
By Ms. Christie
 Objectives
1. Discuss the role of the process of transpiration in plants
2. Describe the effect of external factors on transpiration
3. Discuss adaptation in plants to conserve water
03
Transport of
Water
Plants take in
water from the soil
through their root
hairs. The water is
carried up the
xylem vessels to all
parts of the plant.
Plant Roots
Root hairs absorb water by osmosis

The function of the root hair is to absorb water

and minerals from the soil. Water gets into a root
hair by osmosis. Water diffuses into the the root
har, down its concentration gradient, through the
partially permeable membrane.
● Root hairs absorb
water by osmosis
● Absorbed water
enters the xylem
● Water is sucked up
the xylem
Absorbed water enters the Xylem

The roots hairs are on the edge of the roots.

The xylem vessels are in the centre. Before
the water can enter the rest of the plant it
must travel into these xylem vessels.
 Water is sucked up the Xylem Vessels
Water moves up the xylem vessels the same way that a
drink moves up a straw when you suck it. When you suck a
straw you are reducing the pressure at the top of the
starw. The liquid at the bottom of the straw has a higher
pressure so it moves up the straw.
The same thing happens when water moves up the
xylem vessels. The pressure at the top of the xylem vessels
is lowered while the pressure at the bottom is high. Water
therefore flow up the xylem vessels.
What causes the reduced pressure at the top
of the xylem vessel?

Transpiration
 Transpiration

Transpiration is the
evaporation of water from
a plant.
The Transpiration Stream

Water is constantly being taken from the top of the

xylem vessels, to supply the cells in the leaves.
This reduces the effective pressure at the top of
the xylem vessels so that water flows up them. This
process is known as the transpiration stream.
Conditions that affect Transpiration Rate

1. Temperature
2. Humidity
3. Wind Speed
4. Light Intensity
5. Water Supply
 Food
Storage
in Plants
That’s all!
Thanks!