Transport in Plants Lecture Notes

These vocabulary flashcards cover the transportation system in plants, including xylem and phloem structures, nutrient types, and the mechanisms of water and food movement such as osmosis and transpiration.

Autotrophs

Green plants that produce their own food by a process called photosynthesis, using carbon dioxide and water.

Xylem

A complex conducting tissue that carries water and dissolved minerals upwards from the roots to the leaves.

Phloem

A complex conducting tissue that transports food prepared by the leaves to all other parts of the plant, moving in both upward and downward directions.

Vessels

Long tube-like structures in the xylem formed by a row of cells placed end to end, which transport water laterally and vertically upwards.

Tracheids

Long and narrow cells in the xylem that taper at both ends, helping in the upward conduction of water and providing mechanical support.

Xylem Fibres

Long and narrow sclerenchymatous cells in the xylem that provide mechanical support to the plant.

Xylem Parenchyma

The only living cells in the xylem tissue; they have thin cell walls, store food, and help in the conduction of water and minerals.

Lignin

A substance deposited on the walls of vessels and tracheids in the xylem to provide mechanical support.

Sieve Tubes

Tube-like structures in the phloem made of elongated, thin-walled cells joined end to end with perforated end walls called sieve plates.

Sieve Plates

The perforated end walls of sieve tubes in the phloem through which food materials are conducted.

Companion Cells

Elongated thin-walled cells placed adjacent to sieve tubes that assist in the conduction of food material.

Phloem Fibres

Thick-walled, spindle-shaped dead cells in the phloem made of sclerenchymatous fibres that provide mechanical strength.

Phloem Parenchyma

Thin-walled parenchyma cells in the phloem that store food.

Macronutrients

Essential plant minerals required in large quantities, such as Nitrogen ($N$), Phosphorus ($P$), and Potassium ($K$).

Micronutrients

Plant nutrients required in small quantities, including Iron ($Fe$), Zinc ($Zn$), and Manganese ($Mn$).

Root Hair

Fine outgrowths of the epidermal cells of the roots that provide a large surface area for the absorption of water.

Diffusion

The movement of molecules from a region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration until an equilibrium is reached, without requiring energy.

Osmosis

The movement of water molecules from a region of higher water concentration to a region of lower water concentration through a semi-permeable membrane.

Active Transport

The movement of particles from a region of lower concentration to a region of higher concentration against the concentration gradient by utilizing energy.

Ascent of Sap

The upward movement of water and minerals against gravity in a plant through the xylem tissue.

Transpiration

The loss of excess water from plants, mainly through the leaves as water vapour, which creates a suction pull for water transport.

Root Pressure

Pressure that develops in the roots due to the continuous inflow of water, helping in the upward conduction of water.

Cohesion

The tendency of water molecules to stick with each other, helping them be pulled upwards in the plant.

Wilting

The drooping of leaves, stems, and flowers that occurs when the loss of water through transpiration exceeds the absorption of water by root hair.

Translocation

The process of transporting synthesized food from the leaves to other various parts of the plant through the phloem.