Transport in Plants

Plants transport
water, sugar,
minerals,
hormones, etc
through the
vascular system
comprised of
xylem and phloem
Water travels
from ground out
through leaves
via xylem
The path of water transport in plants
Water moves from
the ground through
roots into stem and
to the shoot and out
of the stomata in the
leaves.
 Roots (root hair cells)
Adaptations Functions

Elongated structure reach far in soil solution

Thin walled reducing the distance of water move into the cells

Numerous surface area speeds up the absorption of water and

minerals.
Movement of water and mineral salts into
plants

• Water move in the roots via a process

known as osmosis. This process do not
require energy.
• Mineral move in the roots via active
transport. This process required energy.
Tissue which transport the water - xylem

root

stem

leave
The path of water transport
 Xylem Vessels

Adaptations Functions

Hollow and elongated To carry as much water as possible.

dead cells, so have no cell contents of maximising space for water to be

their own transported.

walls are lignified (coated with lignin) strengthens the xylem and allows it to
withstand the water pressure
xylem in celery stem
Transpiration
 Transpiration
• Function of water in plants:
 Carry out photosynthesis
 Transporting mineral salts
 Maintaining cell turgidity
• The excess water is evaporated through stomata
in the leaves.
• Transpiration cools down the plants and it also
creates a pull to help to draw in water from the
soil.
Stomata
control entry
of CO2 and exit
of H2O from
plant leaves

Stomata
Stomata on the underside of a leaf
CB 36.16

Guard cells
regulate the
opening of
stomata
Sunlight is needed for
photosynthesis and
the glucose produced
is transported via
phloem
 Tissue which transports the food - phloem

root

stem

leave
 Function of Phloem
• To transport food from the leaves to the other parts
of plants.
• Food is transport from source ( photosynthesis site)
to sink (non photosynthesis site)