BIOLOGY PRESENTATION

The uptake of ions by active transport

Plants take up mineral ions by active transport. Active transport is the process by which
dissolves molecules moves across a cell membrane from a low to a high concentration. in
this process mineral ions are moved against a concentration gradient which requires:
 Numerous mitochondrion in root hair cells for ATP production.
 Protein channels in the cell membranes for active transport.
 Oxygen in the soil that is absorbed by root hair cell respiration.
In order for mineral ions to be pumped into the roots the mineral ions must make physical
contact with protein pumps on cell membranes of root hair cells. The mineral ions move
into contact with root hair proteins in one of two ways:
1. Diffusion
2. Mass flow
Diffusion and mass flow are two slow processes because mineral ions are bind to the
surface of soil particles.
Role of the endodermis

The endodermal layer in a plant, almost always in the root,

regulates the water and other substances that get into the
plant. The endodermis is a single layer of cells that borders
the cortex of a root. The whole system in which the
endodermis functions allows the roots to select what gets
into the vascular core. So basically the main function of the
endodermis is for protection.
The entry of water into plant roots
through water potential
Water potential is the measure of potential energy in water and drives the
movement of water through plants.
 Plants use water potential to transport water to the leaves so that
photosynthesis can take place.
 The internal water potential of a plant cell is more negative than pure water;
this causes water to move from the soil into plant roots via osmosis.
The ascent of water

1. Root pressure
Root pressure, in plants force that helps to drive fluids upward into the water-
conducting vessels (xylem). It is primarily generated by osmotic pressure in the
cells of the roots and can be demonstrated by exudation of fluid when the stem
is cut off just aboveground. It is partially responsible for the rise of water in
plants.
2. Capillarity action
Plants use capillary action to bring water up the roots and stems to the rest of
the plant. The molecules of the water (the liquid) are attracted to the molecules
of the inside of the stem (the solid). This attraction is used to help force the
water up from the ground and disperse it throughout the plant.
3. Cohesion
This explains that the upward movement of water is mainly due to the creation of a negative force
or tension attributed to the continuous evaporation of water at the surfaces of leaves in the process
of transpiration. Water molecules remain attached to one another by a strong mutual force of
attraction called cohesion force.
4. Adhesion
Adhesion is the process of attaching one thing to another. For plants, adhesion allows for the water
to stick to the organic tissues of plants.
4. Transpiration pull
As molecule after molecule of water evaporates through the stomata, it creates a pulling action on
the next molecules of water in the transpiration stream. This pulling force, otherwise called
transpiration pull, is strong enough to overcome the force of gravity which is responsible for the
tendency of water to move downward.
The role of the stomata in transpiration is that ;
 It provides the main passage for transpiration of water vapor and assimilation of carbon dioxide
by plants.
 It also helps to reduce water loss by closing when conditions are hot or dry. Stomata look like
tiny mouths which open and close as they assist in transpiration.
The impact of environmental factors on
the rate of transpiration
The environmental factors affecting transpiration in plants include light, relative
humidity, temperature, availability of water, and wind. Specifically, these are
climatic elements which also affect photosynthesis and other plant growth and
development processes.
 Relative humidity (RH) is the amount of water vapor in the air compared to
the amount of water vapor that air could hold at a given temperature.
 Temperature greatly influences the magnitude of the driving force for water
movement out of a plant rather than having a direct effect on stomata. As
temperature increases, the water holding capacity of that air increases
sharply.
 Light – Stomata are triggered to open in the light so that carbon dioxide is available for the
light-dependent process of photosynthesis. Stomata are closed in the dark in most plants. Very
low levels of light at dawn can cause stomata to open so they can access carbon dioxide for
photosynthesis as soon as the sun hits their leaves.
 Wind – Wind can alter rates of transpiration by removing the boundary layer, that still layer of
water vapor hugging the surface of leaves. Wind increases the movement of water from the leaf
surface when it reduces the boundary layer, because the path for water to reach the atmosphere
is shorter.
 Availability of soil water- greatly affects the rate of transpiration. If there is little water
available, the resulting tendency for dehydration of the leaf causes stomatal closure and a
consequent fall in transpiration.
 Transpiration

Transpiration is the loss of water vapor from a plant to its environment, by diffusion down a water
potential gradient.
Structure of the xylem vessel and its functions

 Xylem is the tissue of vascular plants that transports water and nutrients from
the soil to the stems and leaves.
 Xylem plays an essential ‘supporting’ role providing strength to tissues and
organs, to maintain plant architecture and resistance to bending.
 The water‐transporting cells of mature xylem are dead, and therefore the
transport of water is mostly a passive process with a very small active root
pressure component.
 Are lignified or thickened to prevent collapsing.
 Factors Affecting the Rate of
Transpiration
 Wind Speed and Temperature
 Very Dry Conditions
 Light Intensity
 Humidity
 Types of Pathways

 Symplastic Pathway
Water Moves from cell to cell via the plasmodesmata
 Apoplastic Pathway
Water moves through the cell walls
A Potometer
The Phloem
Sieve Tubes and Companion Cells
Solutes in the Phloem Sap
 Translocation

The Transport of solute organic substances within a plant

How Translocation Occurs
Loading and Unloading of Sucrose
Evidence for the Mechanism for Phloem
Transport
 The Phloem sap always has a relatively high ph,often around 8
 There is a difference in electrical potential across the plasma membrane of
companion cells, which is more negative inside that outside.
THE END