plant cell specialisation

3 examples of specialised plant cells

Xylem

Phloem

Root hair cell

Root hair cell function

Absorb water and dissolved minerals

Root hair cell adaptations

• Long projection(root hair) to enlarge surface area to increase rate of absorption of water and mineral ions

• Don’t contain chloroplasts because they’re underground

Where are xylem found

In plant stem

What do xylem form

Long tubes- these tubes carry water and dissolved minerals from the roots to the leaves

Xylem adaptations

• very thick walls containing lignin, to provide support for the plant

• End walks between cells broken down so cells form long tube and water can flow easily

• No internal structures so easier for water and minerals to flow

Phloem function

Tubes Carry dissolved sugars up and down the plant

Phloem adaptations

• 2 types of cells (phloem vessel cells and sieve plates) allow dissolved sugars to move through cell interior

• Each phloem vessel cell has a companion cell connected by pores so mitochondria in companion cell provide energy to the phloem vessel cell

Phloem vessel crlls

Have no nucleus and limited cytoplasm

Sieve plates

End walls of the vessel cells have pores called sieve plates