Water Transport in Plants Experiment

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Questions and Answers

What does the presence of dye solution in the xylem regions of the plant stems indicate?

Water absorption in roots is impaired.

Transport of water and dissolved substances is occurring. (correct)

The plant is incapable of photosynthesis.

The plant is in a state of active desiccation.

Which plant sample is likely to exhibit the highest rate of transport based on structural integrity?

Intact plant (correct)

Cut off roots A

Decapitated plant

Cut off roots + decapitated

What factors can lead to a reduced rate of transport in plants?

Excessive water supply

Damage to the root structure (correct)

High levels of sunlight

Optimal temperature conditions

Why is it important for plants to maintain a favorable water balance?

To support cellular functions and growth. Signup and view all the answers

What could be the consequence of prolonged desiccation in an actively growing plant?

Decreased growth and possible death. Signup and view all the answers

What role do the roots play in the transport process of plants?

Roots absorb water and minerals from the soil. Signup and view all the answers

How does drying the cut off roots B before dye immersion affect the rate of transport?

It decreases the ability to uptake water. Signup and view all the answers

What might indicate that a plant's xylem is non-functional?

Absence of dye in the xylem regions. Signup and view all the answers

What should be done with the intact plant before immersion in the dye solution?

Wash the roots and immerse directly Signup and view all the answers

What differentiates the handling of the 'Cut off roots B' plant from the 'Cut off roots A' plant?

Roots are cut while submerged versus in air Signup and view all the answers

After how long should the plants be removed from the dye solution?

60 minutes after immersion Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of using a razor blade during the procedure?

To create a thin section of the plant for examination Signup and view all the answers

Which plant part is distinguished as containing xylem and phloem tissues?

The stem base slices Signup and view all the answers

What should be done to the plants after immersion and waiting for 60 minutes?

Rinse in tap water to remove excess dye Signup and view all the answers

How is the rate of dye transport calculated after measuring the distance traveled?

By dividing the distance by the immersion time in minutes Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of bond paper in the procedure?

To label and contain the rinsed plants Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Water in Plants

Plants need water for growth and survival
Water is essential for maintaining physiological activity within cells and the whole plant.
Insufficient water leads to stunted development and slower rates of vital functions.
Excessive water loss is lethal to plants.

Experiment: Observing Transport in Plants

The experiment uses ethylene blue dye to observe transport pathways in plants.
Five plant samples are used: intact, decapitated, cut-off roots A (cut underwater), cut-off roots B (cut in air), and cut-off + decapitated.
The dye travels through the xylem and phloem of the plant.
Xylem transports water and minerals upwards from the roots to the rest of the plant.
Phloem transports sugars and other organic materials throughout the plant.

Observing Dye Movement

After 60 minutes, the plants are removed from the dye solution and examined.
A thin section of the base of each plant is cut and mounted on a slide for microscopic observation.
The location of the dye in the xylem and phloem is observed.
The distance traveled by the dye in each plant is measured.
The rate of transport is calculated by dividing the distance traveled by the time immersed in the dye.

Comparing Transport Rates

The plant with the highest rate of transport is the intact plant. This is likely due to all tissues being present and functional.
The plant with the lowest rate of transport is the cut-off roots B plant. This is likely because of the air exposure, which can block the xylem and reduce the water transport.
The decapitated plant shows a reduced rate of transport because the top of the plant is removed. This prevents the water from traveling up to the leaves and the rate of transpiration is affected.

Important Experiment Points

The cut-off roots A plant is cut underwater to avoid air embolism, which can block the xylem.
The cut-off roots B plant is left in air for 15 minutes to allow for air embolism to occur.
The plant with both roots and crown removed shows a significant decrease in the rate of transport because it lacks both the roots to absorb water and the leaves to transpire.

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Description

Explore the vital role of water in plant growth and the physiological processes involved in transport systems. This quiz covers observations from an experiment using ethylene blue dye to trace the movement of water and nutrients through xylem and phloem in various plant samples. Test your understanding of plant physiology and transport mechanisms in response to water availability.