9.

1 Transport in the xylem of plants AHL

Essen%al idea: structure and func%on

are correlated in the xylem of plants.
Transpira(on loss of water from leaves and stem of plants.

Photosynthesis is the making of carbohydrates using light energy, this would need
carbon dioxide as a raw material and it would produce oxygen as a waste product.
Carbon dioxide needs to be absorbed, but the waxy cu%cle has low permeability (does
not let things pass through easily) so there are pores in the epidermis to help absorb.
These pores are called stomata.
Transpira%on: inevitable consequence of gas exchange in the leaf.

Guard cells control

the aperture of the
stomata.

When a stomata opens to absorb carbon dioxide, the water vapour

escapes as well. Gas exchange will always have water loss. This can be
minimised using the guard cells. These cells are found in pairs, each on
the either side of the stomata.
Guard cells control the aperture (aperture means opening or gap) of
the stomata.
Review: Proper%es of water

Cohesion:
•  occurs as a result of the polarity of a water molecule and its ability
to form hydrogen bonds.

Water
droplets
form
because the
cohesive
forces are
trying to pull
the water
into the
smallest
possible
volume, a
sphere.
The cohesive property of water and the structure of the xylem
vessels allow transport under tension.
Adhesion:
•  Water molecules tend to s%ck to other molecules that are
charged or polar.

capillary ac%on
Xylem Xylem vessels are long con%nues tubes that have
thicker walls due to the polymer called lignin. When
mature, the xylem cells become non-living and the
flow of water that goes through them must be a
passive process.

The lignified walls of xylem help them to

withstand the very low pressure inside the
xylem which drives the transpira%on pull.
 Main conducting cells:
Main conducting gymnosperms & ferns
cells: Angiosperms
Vessel Tracheid

No perforated plates
  
9.1.U1 Transpiration is the inevitable consequence of gas exchange in the leaf.

Transpira(on flow is controlled by the rate of water

loss through stomata.
9.1.U1 Transpiration is the inevitable consequence of gas exchange in the leaf.

hRp://passel.unl.edu/pages/anima%on.php?a=transpira%on.swf&b=1094
667161
9.1.U2 Plants transport water from the roots to the leaves to replace losses from transpiration.
9.1.U3 The cohesive property of water and the structure of the xylem vessels allow transport under
tension.
9.1.U3 The cohesive property of water and the structure of the xylem vessels allow transport under tension.

Xylem cells contain no cytoplasm this

provides a larger lumen making water
transport more efficient. However
because the cells are are non-living
water transport must be a passive
process.

Cell walls are thickened to make them

stronger

Wall are impregnated with lignin*.

Lignin may be deposited in different
ways, such as spirals or rings.

Strengthened xylem walls can

withstand very low internal pressures
without collapsing.

Xylem cells are arranged end to end to form

con%nuous vessels. The reduc%on of the walls
Can you suggest a func%on of the pits
between cells in a vessel makes it easier for
in the cell walls?
water to move between cells

*Lignin is a complex fibrous organic polymer which is strong

hRp://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/Sel-lower1_70363.jpg and rigid. It makes plant stems woody.
9.1.U4 The adhesive property of water and evaporation generate tension forces in leaf cell walls.

In Summary:
•  The loss of water from the top of xylem vessels due to evapora(on lowers the
pressure inside the vessel and pulls more water into the vessel due to cohesion
•  Adhesion aRracts water molecules to the walls of xylem and vice versa.
•  Therefore as the water moving upwards (similarly to cohesion) it pulls inward on the
walls of the xylem vessels genera%ng tension - try sucking on a straw when the
boRom end is closed.
Edited from: hRp://www.slideshare.net/gurus%p/transport-in-angiospermophytes
 XEROPHYTES

- survive in dry condi%ons by

reducing transpira%on.

Opun%a
HALOPHYTES
- salt-tolerant plants

Opun%a
The stomata may also be surrounded by %ny hairs on the leaf or
stem, these hairs are called trichomes and slow down the rate
transpira%on as it shelters the stomata from harsh winds.
 HALOPHYTES
-  salt-tolerant plants;
-  deep-roo%ng perennials

Opun%a
-  have waxy inner membrane
9.1.U5 Active uptake of mineral ions in the roots causes absorption of water by osmosis.

Water enters the root

hair cells by osmosis.

Plants take up water and

essen%al minerals via their
roots and thus need a large
surface area in order to
op%mize this uptake.

The root epidermis may have

extensions called root hairs
which increase surface area
for mineral and water
absorp%on
9.1.U5 Active uptake of mineral ions in the roots causes absorption of water by osmosis.

Water enters the root hair cells by osmosis

Higher water
concentra%on
Lower water
concentra%on

water moves down the

concentra(on gradient