2012

Prepared by Ms.Ngoo Lena

G TRANSPORT IN PLANTS

Learning Outcomes
Topic G
(a)
(b)

explain the need for transport systems in multicellular plants and animals in terms of size and surface area to
volume ratios;
define the term transpiration and explain that it is an inevitable consequence of gaseous exchange in plants;

(c)

*describe how to investigate experimentally the factors that affect transpiration rate;

(d)

*describe the distribution of xylem and phloem tissue in roots, stems and leaves of dicotyledonous plants;

(e)

*describe the structure of xylem vessel elements, sieve tube elements and companion cells and be able to
recognise these using the light microscope;

(f)

relate the structure of xylem vessel elements, sieve tube elements and companion cells to their functions;

(g)

explain the movement of water between plant cells and between them and their environment, in terms of
water potential (no calculations involving water potential will be set);

(h)

describe the pathways and explain the mechanisms by which water is transported from soil to xylem and
from roots to leaves;

(i)

*describe how the leaves of xerophytic plants are adapted to reduce water loss by transpiration;

(j)

explain translocation as an energy-requiring process transporting assimilates, especially sucrose, between

the leaves (sources) and other parts of the plant (sinks);

(k)

explain the translocation of sucrose using the mass flow hypothesis;

2012

Prepared by Ms.Ngoo Lena

Transport Systems in Plants

Plants dont have a circulatory system like animals, but they do have a sophisticated transport system for
carrying water and dissolved solutes to different parts of the plant, often over large distances.

Stem Structure

epidermis
cortex
endodermis
pericycle
phloem
cambium
xylem

vascular
tissue

vascular
bundle

epidermis
cortex
phloem
cambium
xylem
pith

Root Structure

root
hairs

Epidermis. One cell thick. In young plants the Epidermis. A single layer of cells often with long
epidermis cells may secrete a waterproof cuticle, and
extensions called root hairs, which increase the
in older plants the epidermis may be absent, replaced

surface area enormously. A single plant may have

by bark.

1010 root hairs.

Cortex. Composed of various packing cells, to Cortex. A thick layer of packing cells often
give young plants strength and flexibility, and are the
containing stored starch.
source of plant fibres such as sisal and hemp.

Endodermis. A single layer of tightly-packed

Vascular Tissue. This contains the phloem and

cells containing a waterproof layer called the

xylem tissue, which grow out from the cambium. In

casparian strip. This prevents the movement of

dicot plants (the broad-leafed plants), the vascular

water between the cells.

tissue is arranged in vascular bundles, with phloem on

the outside and xylem on the inside. In older plants the
xylem bundles fuse together to form the bulk of the
stem.

casparian
cell
cell
cytoplasm
vacuole
strip
wall membrane

Pith. The central region of a stem, used for food Pericycle.

storage in young plants. It may be absent in older
plants (i.e. theyre hollow).

layer

of

undifferentiated

meristematic (growing) cells.

Vascular Tissue. This contains xylem and phloem
cells, which are continuous with the stem
vascular bundles. The arrangement is different,
and the xylem usually forms a star shape with 2-6
arms.

2012

Prepared by Ms.Ngoo Lena

(a) Explain the need for transport systems in multicellular plants and animals in terms of size and surface area to
volume ratios

EXPLAIN WHY there is a need for the development of transport system for multicellular organism.
1)
2)

(e) *describe the structure of xylem vessel elements, sieve tube elements and companion cells and be able to recognise these using
the light microscope;

XYLEM TISSUE

Xylem tissue functions in both water transport and mechanical support.

The xylem of a flowering plant is constructed from:
a) vessel elements
b) tracheids
c) fibres
d) parenchyma cells.

2012

Prepared by Ms.Ngoo Lena

(f) relate the structure of xylem vessel elements to their functions;

Hollow lumen

Large lumen

Lignified wall

Continuous tube/ no end wall

Pits

Differences between Xylem vessel & tracheids

tracheids

Xylem vessel
similarities

lignified walls at maturation;

pits on wall ;

Transport water

Differences

long, thin cells w tapered ends.

Do not have open ends ,do not

form vessels/ cont tube

elongated vessel elements arranged

end-end/ no end walls
form a continuous tube

2012

Prepared by Ms.Ngoo Lena

PHLOEM TISSUE
(i) sieve elements conducting cells
(ii) companion cells pair up with sieve elements
(iii) parenchyma cells
(iv) fibres

Companion cell

Cellulose cell wall

Little cell content

Cell plate/ sieve pores

plasmodesmata

2012

Prepared by Ms.Ngoo Lena

Features of Sieve Tube element & Companion cells related to its function.

Sieve Tube element

Companion cells.

i) Alive
ii) No nucleus, No ribosomes

i) normal cells with nuclei

and organelles.

iii) Cytoplasm is reduced to strands

around the cell edge.

ii) connected to the sieve tube

cells by plasmodesmata

plasma membrane ,mitoc,

plastids & ER

iii) Metabolically very active

iv) Center of tubes is empty.

v) no secondary wall thickening
vi) sieve plates
allowing free flow of liquids

provide proteins, ATP and

nutrients.

2012

Prepared by Ms.Ngoo Lena

The transport of water ~ Overview

(g) explain the movement of water between plant cells and between them and their environment, in terms of water potential

USE the Key words for the pathways(1-6) and explain the mechanisms by which water is transported from

soil to xylem and from roots to leaves

4,5,6) xylem to leaf to atmosphere
**Apoplast & symplast
gradient
Evaporation
Spongy Mesophyll cell
Water vapour
Moist cell wall
Large SA of spongy mesophyll cells
Diffusion
Stomata

3) along Xylem
Transpiration
Water loss
Hydrostatic pressure
Mass flow
Capillary action
(adhesion,cohesion)
Transpirational pull
2) root cells to xylem
Osmosis
gradient
Apoplast & Symplast
Plasmodesmata; Cytoplasm
Cell wall
Casparian strip
Endodermis
Pericycle

1) Soil to root cells

Osmosis
gradient
Partially permeable membrane

2012

Prepared by Ms.Ngoo Lena

Factors affecting Transpiration

The rate of transpiration can be measured in the lab using a potometer (drinking meter):

speed of movement of air bubble (mm/s)

x cross-sectional area of capillary tube (mm2)
= rate of water uptake (mm 3/s)

2012

Prepared by Ms.Ngoo Lena

The potometer can be used to investigate how various environmental factors affect the rate of transpiration.
Explain how each of the following factor can affect the rate of photosynthesis. (ref pg 18 in reference material)
1. Light.

2. Temperature.

3. Humidity.

4. Air movements.

Many plants are able to control their stomata, and if they are losing too much water and their cells are
wilting, they can close their stomata, reducing transpiration and water loss. So long periods of light, heat, or
dry air could result in a decrease in transpiration when the stomata close.

(b)define the term transpiration and explain that it is an inevitable consequence of gaseous exchange in plants;

(i)*describe how the leaves of xerophytic plants are adapted to reduce water loss by transpiration;

Adaptations to dry habitats

Plants in different habitats are adapted to cope with different problems of water availability.
Mesophytes

plants adapted to a habitat with adequate water

Xerophytes

plants adapted to a dry habitat

Halophytes

plants adapted to a salty habitat

Hydrophytes plants adapted to a freshwater habitat

2012

Prepared by Ms.Ngoo Lena

Some adaptations of xerophytes are:

Adaptation

How it works

Example

thick cuticle

most dicots

small leaf surface area

conifer needles, cactus spines

low stomata density

stomata on lower surface of

most dicots

leaf only
shedding leaves in dry/cold

deciduous plants

season
sunken stomata

marram grass, pine

stomatal hairs

marram grass, couch grass

folded leaves

marram grass,
cacti

succulent leaves and stem

extensive roots

cacti

2012

Prepared by Ms.Ngoo Lena

(j) explain translocation as an energy-requiring process transporting assimilates, especially sucrose, between the
leaves (sources) and other parts of the plant (sinks);
(k) explain the translocation of sucrose using the mass flow hypothesis;

Solute Transport in Plants

The phloem contains a very concentrated solution of dissolved solutes, mainly sucrose, but also other sugars, amino
acids, and other metabolites. This solution is called the sap, and the transport of solutes in the phloem is called
translocation.

Unlike the water in the xylem, the contents of the phloem can move both up and down a plant stem, often
simultaneously. It helps to identify where the sugar is being transported from (the source), and where to (the sink).

During the summer sugar is mostly transported from the leaves, where it is made by photosynthesis (the source)
to the roots, where it is stored (the sink).

During the spring, sugar is often transported from the underground root store (the source) to the growing leaf buds
(the sink).

Flowers and young buds are not photosynthetic, so sugars can also be transported from leaves or roots (the
source) to flowers or buds (sinks).

Pressure flow model

http://bcs.whfreeman.com/thelifewire/content/chp36/36020.html
(no narration, step through with words to illustrate by clicking on the information button
http://academic.kellogg.cc.mi.us/herbrandsonc/bio111/animations/0032.swf

Sucrose transport
http://www.tvdsb.on.ca/westmin/science/sbioac/plants/sucrose.htm
Overview of plant transport ** refer to A level key words in replace of the terms used in the ani.
http://www.uic.edu/classes/bios/bios100/f06pm/36_A01.swf

Keywords for 1-4

Source, mesophyll cell
Companion cell
H+ pump;
Active transport, ATP;
H+ gradient, [ ] gradient;
(H+-sucrose) Co-transporter;
Sucrose
diffuse
Plasmodesmata
Sieve tube
Active loading

Keywords for 5-7

Water potential
Osmosis
xylem
Hydrostatic pressure
Sink cell
Sucrose actively unloaded
Pressure difference
Mass flow

Prepared by Ms.Ngoo Lena

(j) explain translocation as an energy-requiring process transporting assimilates, especially sucrose, between leaves (sources) and other parts of the plant (sinks);
(k) explain the translocation of sucrose using the mass flow hypothesis;

Translocation

2012

2012

Prepared by Ms.Ngoo Lena

MCQ
1.

The diagram below is a 3D representation of a cell found in many herbaceous plants.

Which one of the following descriptions applies to the cell shown here?
A
B
C
D

2.

A xylem vessel with secondary thickening

An endodermal cell with a Casparian strip
An immature sclerenchymous fibre
A collenchyma cell with tangential thickening

The diagram below represents those parts of a plant associated with the transfer
of materials during daylight.
Which one of the arrows A, B, C or D indicates mass flow of organic solutes?

3.

A region of a stem of a plant is heated to kill the cells in the living vascular tissues.
How will this treatment affect the transport between roots and leaves via xylem and phloem?

A
B
C
D

4.

Phloem





Key:
 transport
continues
 transport stops

The diameter of a tree is reduced slightly during the day and increased at night. Which of the following changes in
environmental conditions cause the greatest reduction in diameter?
A
B
C
D

5.

Xylem





Increase in wind velocity, temperature, humidity & light intensity

Increase in temperature humidity & light intensity
Increase in wind velocity, temperature & light intensity
Increase in wind velocity, temperature & humidity

The diagram shows a longitudinal section through transport tissue in a plant stem.
What are the names of the structure labelled X and the tissue in which it is found?

2012
6.

What is responsible for the movement of water up xylem vessels in plants?

A
B
C
D

7.

active loading of water against the water potential gradient in the roots and osmosis in the vessels
increasing water potential at the top of xylem vessels, and osmosis in the roots
decreasing water potential at the top of the xylem vessels, with cohesion of water in the vessels
translocation in the leaves, with capillarity in the xylem vessels.

The diagrams show transverse sections of parts of a plant.

In the cross sections, what do 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 represent?

8.

The movement of water through xylem vessels is affected by external factors.

A decrease in which external factor would result in an increase in water movement?
A atmospheric humidity
B external temperature
C light intensity
D wind velocity

9.

Prepared by Ms.Ngoo Lena

How is sucrose transported into companion cells and then into phloem sieve tubes?

10. Why is the mass flow of sap through sieve elements described as an active process?
A Phloem sap is able to flow in sieve elements against the pull of gravity.
B Sucrose is loaded into a sieve element against a concentration gradient.
C Sucrose passes out of the phloem into regions where cells are dividing.
D Water follows sucrose into a sieve element down a water potential gradient.

2012
11

Prepared by Ms.Ngoo Lena

The diagram shows a model which can be used to demonstrate mass flow.

X and Y are filled with sucrose solutions of different concentration, causing water to move in or out of X and Y
by osmosis or as a result of hydrostatic pressure. Sucrose solution then moves through the tube T joining X and Y.
Which description of this is correct?

Topic G- PLANT TRANSPORT Structured Questions

Question 1
Fig.1 below shows transverse sections of a root and a stem. (J03/4)

Fig.1

(a)(i) Shade in an area in the transverse section of the root where there are cells specialised for the transport of water.
[1 ]
(ii) Shade in an area in the transverse section of the stem where there are cell specialised for the transport of sucrose.
[1 ]

2012

Prepared by Ms.Ngoo Lena

(b) Suggest why the vascular bundles in the stem are situated towards the outside.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................................................................[1 ]

(c) Describe the process by which water passes from the soil into the root hairs.
............................................................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................... [2 ]

(d) Explain how water passes from the stem to the air surrounding a leaf.
..........................................................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................[4 ]

Question 2

Fig. 2
(a) Identify cells A to D
A

C .

D .

[4]

2012

Prepared by Ms.Ngoo Lena

(b) Explain the mechanism by which water moves in the direction shown by the black arrows.
..
.
.............................................................................................................
.....
..[4]

(c) Explain the significance of Casparian strips in the movement of ions across a root.
.....
.....[2]

Question 3
Figure 3.1 below is a diagram of a section through a leaf, showing the pathways followed by water molecules, as
black arrows, and passage of sugar molecules manufactured during photosynthesis, as white arrows.

Fig. 3.1

(a)

Identify cells A to D.
A..

C..

D...

[2]

2012
(b)

Prepared by Ms.Ngoo Lena

Describe the methods by which water moves in the direction shown by the black arrows in Fig.3.1.

..
.
.............................................................................................................
.....
..[4]
(c)

Outline how sucrose is loaded into the cell C.

..
.
.............................................................................................................
.....
..[4]
Fig.3.2 below is a diagram of a section through part of a single xylem vessel.
Fig. 3.2

(d)

On Fig. 3.2., label two structural features of the xylem vessels that are related to water transport.

[2]