Plant Transport Systems and Functions

Plant Transport Systems

• Plants produce their own food through photosynthesis.
• They also absorb water and minerals from the soil.
• Two main processes occur in plants: water and mineral transport from roots to other parts, and food transport from leaves to other parts.

Root Functions

• Roots anchor the plant in the soil.
• Roots store food and other nutrients.
• Roots absorb water, crucial for photosynthesis.
• Roots absorb minerals from the soil.

Factors Influencing Transpiration

• Transpiration is the loss of water in gaseous form.
• Temperature affects transpiration rates, higher temperatures increase transpiration.
• Light intensity influences transpiration rates.
• Humidity affects transpiration, high humidity decreases transpiration.
• Wind increases transpiration rates.
• Water availability influences transpiration, more available water increases transpiration rates.
• Surface area plays a role, larger surface area increases water loss.

Transpiration Measurement

• Various methods are used to determine transpiration rates.
• Transpiration occurs through stomata, small pores on leaves.

Food Transport

• Glucose, produced in the leaves, is transported through phloem tissue to other parts of the plant.
• Sieve tubes facilitate continuous food transport from leaves to other parts.

Mineral Importance

• Minerals are essential for plant growth.
• Classified as macronutrients (needed in large amounts) and micronutrients (needed in small amounts).

Macronutrients

• Examples of macronutrients include nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sulfur (S).

Micronutrients

• Examples of micronutrients include boron (B), chlorine (Cl), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), and zinc (Zn).

Plant Transport Systems

• Plants obtain food through photosynthesis and absorb water and minerals from the soil.
• Two main transport systems exist: one for water and minerals from roots, another for food from leaves.

Roots: Functions

• Anchor plants to the soil for stability.
• Store food and nutrients.
• Absorb water essential for plant processes.
• Absorb minerals from the soil.

Factors Affecting Transpiration

• Temperature: Higher temperatures increase transpiration rate.
• Light: Light intensity affects transpiration rate.
• Humidity: High humidity decreases transpiration rate.
• Wind: Wind increases transpiration rate.
• Water Availability: More available water increases transpiration.
• Surface Area: Larger surface area leads to increased water loss (transpiration).

Transpiration

• Loss of water in gaseous form.
• Measured through various techniques to determine the rate.
• Occurs primarily through small pores in leaves called stomata.

Transport of Food and Substances

• Glucose is produced in the leaves during photosynthesis.
• Glucose is transported throughout the plant via phloem tissue.
• Sieve tubes within the phloem facilitate continuous food transport.

Importance of Minerals

• Essential for plant growth and development.
• Classified as macronutrients (needed in large amounts) or micronutrients (needed in small amounts).

Macronutrients

• Nitrogen (N)
• Phosphorus (P)
• Potassium (K)
• Calcium (Ca)
• Magnesium (Mg)
• Sulfur (S)

Micronutrients

• Boron (B)
• Chlorine (Cl)
• Copper (Cu)
• Iron (Fe)
• Manganese (Mn)
• Molybdenum (Mo)
• Zinc (Zn)