2.5.7

Transpiration Tissues

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Xylem Cells

Water and minerals are transported in xylem vessels up the stem and into the leaves. Xylem cells are well adapted for this function:

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Lignin

  • Lignin in the cell wall strengthens and waterproofs the elongated cells.
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No end walls

  • Having no end walls means that successive cells form a long tube for ease of transport.
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Dead

  • Xylem cells are dead, meaning that the tubes are hollow and, therefore, their resistance to water flow is low.

Root Hair Cells

Root hair cells absorb water from the soil via osmosis, or the movement of water from a dilute solution (lots of water) to a concentrated solution (less water). Mineral ions are taken up by active transport. A root hair cell’s structure is well adapted for its function:

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Long projections

  • Long projections stick out from the cell and into the soil to increase the surface area over which water and minerals can be absorbed.
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Mitochondria

  • Lots of mitochondria in root hair cells ensure that there is enough energy for the active transport of minerals up the stem.

Jump to other topics

1Cell Biology

2Organisation

2.1Principles of Organisation

2.2Enzymes

2.3Circulatory System

2.4Non-Communicable Diseases

2.5Plant Tissues, Organs & Systems

3Infection & Response

4Bioenergetics

5Homeostasis & Response

6Inheritance, Variation & Evolution

7Ecology

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