9.

1 Transport in the xylem of plants

>>> Transpiration is the inevitable consequence of gas exchange in the leaf

Plant leaves are where the process of photosynthesis occurs. It involves the
assimilation of carbohydrates(glucose-C6H12O6) using light energy. Carbon
dioxide is used as a raw material and oxygen is a waste product. Gas exchange is
essential for photosynthesis to occur.
Absorption of CO2 is essential for
photosynthesis, as the waxy cuticle has low
permeability, it needs pores on its surface known
as stomata.
A common problem among plants and
other organisms is having gas exchange without
water loss. This loss of water vapor from the
leaves and the stem of the plant is known as
transpiration.
Water loss is minimized using guard cells.
Theyre found in pairs on either side of the
stoma. The guard cells control the opening of the
stoma and can adjust it.
A group of plants without any stomata are known as liverworts.

>>> Plants transport water from the roots to the leaves to replace losses from
transpiration

The water leaving through stomata by transpiration is replaced by the water
from the xylem.
The water in the xylem climbs the stem through the pull of transpiration
combined with the forces of adhesion and cohesion.
Water moves from the soil into the roots by osmosis due to the active transport
of minerals into the root.
Once the water is
in the root it travels to the
xylem through cell
walls(apoplast pathway)
and through the
cytoplasm(symplast
pathway)












>>> The cohesive property of water and the structure of the xylem cells allow transport
under tension

The plants are able to transport water very efficiently due to the structure of the
xylem vessel.
Water molecules are cohesive, they are closely stuck together. Theyre not
broken down by negative pressure or suctions. This is caused by the hydrogen
bonding.

Properties/Structure of the xylem vessel

The xylem walls are thickened. The reason they can withstand low
pressure without collapsing is that the thick walls are
saturated with a polymer known lignin.
Xylem vessels are formed from files of
cells, lined end to end. Sometimes in flowering plants the
cell wall material in areas between adjoining cells is
largely removed. The cells contents and plasma
membrane breakdown.
Mature xylem cells are non-living, so the
flow of water along is a passive process. The atmospheric
pressure is higher than the pressure inside the xylem cell,
but the tube doesnt collapse due to the rigid structure.






>>> The adhesive property of water and evaporation generate tension forces in leaf cell
wall

Pulling forces(tension) causes the water to move up to the leaves.
These forces are generated by leaves and are due to the adhesive property of
water.
Water strongly adheres to the cellulose in plant cells
When water evaporates from mesophyll cell walls in the leaf, more water is
drawn through narrow cellulose-lined pores in leaf cell walls from the nearest
xylem vessels to replace it, generating the tension.

>>> Active uptake of mineral ions in the roots causes absorption of water by osmosis



>> Adaptation of plants in deserts and in saline soils for water conservation
Desert
- Succulence - Succulent plants are water hoarders. They store water in stems,
root or fleshy leaves; special structures good at moisture retention.
- Toleration
- Evasion
Saline
- Salt excretion - These plants have leaves with glands that excrete salt.
- Leave dropping - The plants store the salt in some leaves and if the load
becomes too high, they drop the leaves.
- Stomata control - The plants can restrict the stomata opening allowing them to
conserve fresh water.
- Turned leaves - The plants usually turn the leaf to reduce the surface area
exposed to the hot sun and to capture evaporating water and increase humidity.