Transport in plants Cambridge IGCSE Combined Science revision
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In plain words
A tree can lift water forty metres from its roots to its top leaves, with no pump. Plants have two sets of tiny tubes: one carrying water up, the other carrying sugar from the leaves to wherever it's needed.
Three things to know
- Xylem carries water and mineral ions up from the roots, and helps support the plant. Phloem carries sucrose and amino acids to all parts of the plant.
- Water enters root hair cells by osmosis. The long hair gives a large surface area. Mineral ions are taken in by active transport.
- The path of water: root hair cell → across the root → xylem → up the stem → leaf.
Tips and tricks
- Xylem carries water up. Phloem carries food. "Phloem and food" sound alike.
- Water enters roots by osmosis; mineral ions enter by active transport. Different process, different mark.
It lands in your notebook with its questions as flashcards.
Transport in plants: 5 questions and answers
These are the quiz’s questions. Do the quiz first, then come back here for the ones that got you.
Which tissue carries water up a plant?
Xylem vessels are hollow tubes running from root to leaf.
What does phloem carry?
It carries the food made in the leaves.
How does water enter a root hair cell?
Soil water is more dilute than the cell contents.
How do mineral ions enter root hair cells?
They are usually more concentrated inside the root than in the soil.
Besides carrying water, what does xylem do?
Its walls are thick and strong.
Quiz
5 questions
Tap an answer and you’ll see straight away whether it’s right, and why.
Worksheet
3 questions, 7 marks. Write your answers on paper, then check them.
Transport in plants
Cambridge IGCSE Combined Science 0653 · 7 marks · papermunch.org
Name ______________________________ Date ______________
State what is carried by the xylem and what is carried by the phloem.[2]
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Xylem: water and mineral ions. Phloem: sucrose and amino acids.
Explain how a root hair cell is adapted to take in water.[2]
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It has a long, thin extension that gives a large surface area for absorbing water by osmosis.
A celery stalk is stood in water coloured with red dye. After an hour it is cut across. Describe and explain what is seen.[3]
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Small red dots are seen (in a ring or arc). The dye has been carried up with the water in the xylem vessels.
Answers: Transport in plants
- 1. Xylem: water and mineral ions. Phloem: sucrose and amino acids.
- 2. It has a long, thin extension that gives a large surface area for absorbing water by osmosis.
- 3. Small red dots are seen (in a ring or arc). The dye has been carried up with the water in the xylem vessels.