Transpiration Tissues - Root Hair Cells
Biology: AQA GCSE Higher, topic 2.5.8
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:
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.
Mitochondria
- Lots of mitochondria in root hair cells ensure that there is enough energy for the active transport of minerals up the stem.
Test yourself on Transpiration Tissues - Root Hair Cells
In which direction does water move by osmosis when the soil around a root hair cell is more dilute than the cell's contents?
What would happen to a root hair cell's ability to absorb water and minerals if its projections were shorter?
What would happen to mineral ion uptake in a root hair cell that had no mitochondria?
Which statement correctly compares how root hair cells absorb water and mineral ions?
Why do root hair cells have both long projections and many mitochondria?