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TRANSPORT IN PLANTS NOTES

The document discusses the transport processes in plants, focusing on the translocation of food through phloem and the absorption of water by roots. It details the steps involved in food translocation, including phloem loading, osmosis, bulk flow, and unloading, as well as the role of root hairs in water absorption. Additionally, it covers the ascent of sap, transpiration, and the importance of minerals for plant health.

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Kajal Singh
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15 views

TRANSPORT IN PLANTS NOTES

The document discusses the transport processes in plants, focusing on the translocation of food through phloem and the absorption of water by roots. It details the steps involved in food translocation, including phloem loading, osmosis, bulk flow, and unloading, as well as the role of root hairs in water absorption. Additionally, it covers the ascent of sap, transpiration, and the importance of minerals for plant health.

Uploaded by

Kajal Singh
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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TRANSPORT IN PLANTS

 TRANSPORT OF FOOD

Food is prepared in the form of Glucose (C6H12O6) by the process of photosynthesis.


Glucose is stored in the form of Starch (complex carbohydrate).
Food is transported in the form of Sucrose solution (C12H22O11) (simple carbohydrate)
through the phloem upwards and downwards to all parts of the plant including roots.
 This is called as Translocation of solutes (food).
 Plants transfer food in the form of sucrose because:
i) It is water soluble.
ii) It increases energy storage (60 ATP).
iii) It is more efficient in energy transfer.
iv) It is less reactive therefore removing in between reactions.
 Sucrose is made up of glucose and fructose.

 Translocation of food:-

The steps involved in the translocation of food are:-

STEP-1:- LOADING/PHLOEM LOADING:-


 It is an active process.
 Sugar molecules are needed to move from a region of high concentration to a region of low
concentration that requires energy.
 As energy is utilized in this process we call it as active process.
STEP-2:- OSMOSIS:-
 Now to balance the concentration, water starts flowing from xylem into the phloem by the process
of osmosis.
 Osmosis is the movement of water molecules from a region of higher concentration to a region of
lower concentration through a semi-permeable membrane.
 Due to this the region of the phloem starts puffing up. This increases the pressure in that region.
STEP-3:- BULK FLOW:-
 The sap (watery fluid) starts moving in a direction where the pressure is low.
 It is called as bulk flow as the whole solution starts moving from high pressure to low pressure.
 And finally the sugar molecule reaches the low pressure region.
STEP-4:- UNLOADING:-
 Now the sugar molecules start unloading into the cell as there the concentration of sugar is low.
 Therefore, the sugar starts moving from high concentration to low concentration.
STEP-5:- OSMOSIS:-
 As the concentration of sugar is reduced, the water molecules move back to the xylem by the
process of osmosis.

 WATER ABSORPTION BY THE ROOTS

 The root system of plants consists of a main root, which gives out lateral roots that bears fine
outgrowths called root hairs.
 Root hairs play a significant role in the absorption of water and minerals from soil.
 Main root Lateral roots Root hairs

 Root hairs:-
 It is a long protuberance (extension) of an epidermal cell of the root.
 Features of root hairs for absorption of water from the soil:-
i)Numerous root hairs provide large surface area for absorption.
ii) Root hairs have high concentration of cell sap than the surrounding water that promotes
water absorption.
iii) Cell wall is freely permeable i.e. it allows all substances to pass through it but the cell
membrane is semi- permeable i.e. it allows water molecules to pass through it and prevent
the entry of larger molecules.

 An activity to understand the semi-permeable nature of cell membrane

 Two solutions were kept separated by a semi-permeable membrane. Side A has water solution and
Side B has sugar solution.
 In Side A, the concentration of water molecules is more hence also called a dilute solution.
 In Side B, the concentration of water molecules is less and sugar molecules (solute) are more and
hence also called a concentrated solution.
 As the setup is left undisturbed for some time, the level of water in side A decreases and the level
of sugar solution on side B increases.
 This happens because water molecules being smaller in size crossed the semi-permeable
membrane and moved from side A to side B but sugar molecules being larger in size cannot pass
through the membrane.
 This movement of water molecules from a dilute solution to a concentrated solution through a
semi-permeable membrane is known as Osmosis.
 Molecular Movements in Plants:-
1. Diffusion: - The movement of molecules (gas, liquid or solid) from a region of high
concentration to a region of low concentration is called diffusion.
E.g.:- i) movement of water into the roots.
ii) movement of CO2 from atmosphere into the leaf cells.
iii) movement of O2 from leaf cells into the atmosphere.
2. Osmosis: - The movement of water molecules from a region of high concentration to a region
of low concentration through a semi-permeable membrane is called osmosis.
E.g.:- water from the soil enters the roots through osmosis.
3. Active Transport: - The movement of molecules from a region of low concentration to a region
of high concentration with the expenditure of energy (ATP) is called active transport.
E.g.:- minerals are absorbed from the soil by this process.

 Ascent of Sap :-
 The ascent of sap in the xylem tissues of plants is the upward movement of water and
minerals from roots to the aerial parts of the plant.
 Sap means mixture solution of stored minerals, nutrients, waste and water.
 Root Pressure:-
 The pressure developed in the roots due to the continuous inflow of water because of cell
to cell osmosis.
 Root pressure contributes to the ascent of sap through the stem into the leaves up to a
certain height.

TRANSPIRATION:-
 It is the loss of water in the form of water vapour from the aerial parts of the plant.
 The forces involved in the ascent of sap are;
Transpiration Pull- The pulling force or suction force created in the xylem vessels that
causes water to be pulled up from the xylem in the roots to the stem and then to leaves is
called Transpiration Pull.
Capillary Force- Xylem tissues are in the form capillary tubes that help the water to rise
with greater force.
Cohesion- This force keeps the water molecules joined together.
Adhesion- This force helps water molecules to stick to the sides of xylem vessels.

 Factors Affecting the Rate of Transpiration:-


1) Sunlight- During daytime, the rate of transpiration increases.
2) Temperature- As temperature increases, transpiration rate also increases.
3) Wind- The faster the wind is blowing; the faster is the rate of transpiration.
4) Humidity- When air is humid, the rate of transpiration decreases.
 Importance of Transpiration in Plants:-
1) Cooling effect: - Heat required for evaporation is obtained from the plant and thus gives
a cooling effect.
2) Maintains the concentration of sap: - If excess water is not evaporated, it dilutes the
cell sap preventing the absorption of water and minerals from the soil.

 Uses of Water in Plants:-


1) Transportation
2) Food Production
3) Cooling

 IMPORTANCE OF MINERALS:-
 Minerals are absorbed by the plants by the process of active transport.
 Minerals (Nutrient elements) are divided into two category:-
1) Macronutrient- required in large quantities those are N, P and K.
2) Micronutrients- required in very small quantities those are Fe, Mn, and Zn.

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