Specialised cells

KEY IDEA:

Cells are adapted to perform different roles within living organisms.

13. Root hair cells

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

You
LO1: MUST describe the structure of root hair cells.
LO2: SHOULD explain the role of root hair cells.
LO3: COULD link increased surface area to an increased
rate of diffusion, osmosis and active uptake.

Root hair cells

These cells are found at a plants roots, near
the growing tip.
They have long hair-like extensions called root
hairs.
The root hairs increase the surface area of
the cell to maximise the movement of water
and minerals from the soil into the plant root.
The cells have thin cellulose walls and a
vacuole containing cell sap with a low water
potential.
This encourages the movement of water into
the cell.

Plantsabsorbwaterfromthesoilbyosmosis.
Roothaircellsareadaptedforthisbyhavingalarge
surface area tospeeduposmosis.
Theabsorbedwateristransportedthroughthe
rootstotherestoftheplantwhereitisusedfor
differentpurposes:
Itisareactantusedinphotosynthesis
Itsupportsleavesandshootsbykeepingthecells
rigid
Itcoolstheleavesbyevaporation
Ittransportsdissolvedmineralsaroundtheplant

Osmosis
http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/guides/zydsgk7/video
Watercanmoveacrosscellmembranesbecauseofosmosis.
Forosmosistohappenyouneed:
twosolutionswithdifferent concentrations
apartially permeable membrane toseparatethem
Partiallypermeablemembranesletsomesubstancespass
throughthem,butnotothers.
Osmosisisthemovementofwaterfromaless
concentrated solutiontoamore concentrated solution
throughapartially permeable membrane.
Osmosisisimportanttoplants.Theygainwaterbyosmosis
throughtheirroots.Watermovesintoplantcellsbyosmosis,
makingthemturgidorstiffsothattheyareabletoholdthe
plantupright.

Plant cells placed in a solution with a high

water concentration compared to their
contents (eg pure water) will gain water
by osmosis and swell up until their
cytoplasm and cell membrane are pushing
against their cell wall. They are said to
be turgid.
Water will diffuse from a higher water
concentration outside the cell to a lower
water concentration inside the cell. The
presence of the plant cell wall prevents
plant cells from bursting.

Plant cells placed in a solution with a

low water concentration compared to
their contents (concentrated sugar
solution) will lose water by osmosis.
Their cell membranes will peel away
from their cell walls and they are said to
be plasmolysed.
Water will diffuse from a higher water
concentration inside the cell to a lower
water concentration outside the cell.

Active transport
This occurs when molecules are moved across the cell
membrane from an area where they are at a low
concentration to an area where they are at a high
concentration by specific transport proteins.
This movement is against the concentration gradient so
the transport proteins require an energy supply. Energy is
provided by the breakdown of ATP inside the cell.

Mineral ions
may be in low
concentration
in the soil.
Plants can
absorb them
against a
concentration
gradient by
active
transport.
Example are
nitrates and
magnesium
ions.

TASK 1: Observing root hair cells

Prepare a slide of root hair cells.

Stain it with iodine solution

Draw and label your cells and add a magnification.

Extra challenge :Calculate the actual size of the root hairs.

TASK 2: Osmosis in action
Set up 6 boiling tubes or beakers containing 25 ml of 5 concentrations of
salt solution.
Measure and weigh similar potato core samples and add them to the
boiling tubes.
Record the starting masses and lengths.
Leave
untilof
next
lesson.
Volume
0.5M
Volume of distilled
Concentration of
salt solution (ml)

water (ml)

salt solution (M)

25

20

0.1

10

15

0.2

15

10

0.3

20

0.4

25

0.5