Transport in Plants

Young Dicotyledonous Stem

 The outermost layer of the stem is epidermis
 The epidermis is covered by a layer of cuticle to
prevent evaporation of water from the stem
Root Structure
2. Using Aphids in Translocation Studies
 The aphid can be anaesthetized with CO2
while it is feeding
 The body of the animal is cut off, leaving only
the proboscis in the plant tissues
2. Using Aphids in Translocation Studies
 A liquid will exude from the cut end of the
proboscis
 An analysis of this liquid shows that it contains
sucrose & amino acids
2. Using Aphids in Translocation Studies
 Sectioning of the leaf or
stem and examining it
under microscope shows
that the proboscis is
inserted into the phloem
sieve tube
3. Use of Isotopes in Translocation Studies
 14C is a radioactive
carbon isotope
 Its presence can be
detected by X-ray
photographic film
 A leaf is fed with
CO2 containing the
radioactive carbon,
14C
Thinking it through…
Ringing expt
Results of the experiment…
RECAP: HOW TRANSPIRATION WORKS
•Water moves from mesophyll
cells into intercellular spaces
•Forms thin film of moisture over
surfaces

•Evaporates and diffuses

through stomata
•Cell sap of mesophyll cells
become more concentrated

•Water drawn by osmosis

from cells deeper in leaf
•Process continues until
water pulled up from xylem
Factors affecting rate of transpiration
 Humidity of air
 Temperature of air
 Strong wind
 Light
 Transport in plants
is carried out by

Xylem Phloem

comprises comprises

Xylem vessels Sieve tubes Companion cells

transports translocate

Water Mineral salts Sucrose Other organic

substances
example
Amino acids

transport from
from
is helped
by Roots
Leaves
to to
Other parts of plant

Transpiration
Root pressure Capillary action
rate affected by

Wind Light Humidity Temperature

Transport of water and minerals (I)
Transport of water and minerals (II)
Root Pressure
 The living cells around the xylem vessels
in the root use active transport to pump
minerals salts / ions into the vessels
 This lowers the water potential in the
xylem vessels
 Capillary Action / Capillarity
 Water molecules can “cling”
on to the inner surface of very
fine tubes and move upwards
 This is capillary action or
called capillarity
 Since the xylem vessels in the
plant are very narrow
capillary tubes, capillary
action helps in moving water
up the vessels
 Transpiration
 The loss of water
vapour from the
aerial parts of a
plant, especially
through the stomata
of the leaves, is
known as
transpiration
To compare rate of transpiration

Blue Cobalt chloride paper on the lower surface of the

leaf turns pink first.
 To measure the rate of water
absorption
 Set up the apparatus as shown
 Prepare the shoot as
mentioned before
 Insert the shoot through the
hole in the cork of the
potometer
 Smear vaseline round the
shoot and cork region to make
the apparatus air tight