9.

1 Transport in the Xylem of Plants

Transpiration
Transpiration is the inevitable consequence of gas exchange in the leaf.
Plant leaves are the primary organ of photosynthesis.
 Photosynthesis involves the synthesis of carbohydrates using light energy.
 Exchange of the gases CO2 and O must take place to sustain photosynthesis.
o For CO2, the waxy cuticle has very low permeability to it, so pores called
stomata through the epidermis are needed.
o If CO2 absorbed, water vapor escapes intractable problem for some organisms
o Transpiration: the loss of water vapor from the leaves and stems of plants
 Water loss minimized using guard cells in pairs on either side of a
stomata.
 Guard cells control the aperture of stoma and adjust wide open to fully
closed.
 Stomata found in nearly all groups of land plants for at least part of life,
exception is a group called liverworts
Antigen: any foreign molecule that can trigger an immune response.
 Most common types: proteins and very large polysaccharides.
 Location: found on the surface of cancer cells, bacteria, and on the envelopes of viruses.
 Humans: surface of our own cells contains proteins and polypeptides.
Immune systems function based on recognizing distinction between foreign antigens and self.
Antigens on the surface of red blood cells stimulate antibody production in a person with a different
blood group.
Blood groups are based on the presence or absence of certain types of antigens on the surface
of red blood cells.
Blood groups ABO and Rhesus are the two most important antigen systems in blood
transfusions.
 All three (ABO) involve a basic antigen sequence called antigen H.
 In blood types A and B, this antigen H is modified with the addition of a
molecule.
o Antigen A results with the additional molecule N-acetylgalactosamine
o Antigen B results with the additional molecule galactose
o Antigen AB results with the presence of both types of antigens