Plant Organ System

What do xylem vessels transport?

Transport water and minerals form the roots up to the steams and leaves

What do phloem vessels transport?

Transport  food materials up and down (mainly sucrose and amino acids) made by the plant from photosynthesizing leaves to non-photosynthesizing regions in the roots and stems

How is the xylem composed?

It is composed of hollow tubes strengthened by lignin adapted for the transport of water in the transpiration stream

Xylem vessel structure

Dead cells arranged end to end forming a continuous system of vessels

Vessels are hollow with a central space or lumen through which water passes

Phloem vessel structure

Living tissue arranged end to end with cellulose cell walls and cytoplasm

End of each cell formed by cellulose cross wall with lots of tiny holes - sieve plates

Root hair cell adaptations

Adapted for the efficient uptake of water by osmosis and mineral ions by active transport

• Single- celled extensions of epidermis cells in the root which increase surface area of cells, increases rate of absorption of water by osmosis and mineral ions by active transport

• Grow between soil particles and absorb water and minerals from soil

• Water enters root hair cell by osmosis, because soil water has a dilute concentration and the cytoplasm in the root hair cell is concentrated