Long Distance Transport Of Water
Chapter Name : Transport In Plants |
Sub Topic Code : 103_11_11_03_01 |
Topic Name : Long Distance Transport Of Water |
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Sub Topic Name : Absorption Of Water By Plants |
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Introduction
Plants absorb water through the roots through apoplast and symplast pathway. Plants also absorb water through symbiotic association with fungus like mycorrhiza.
Pre-Requisites:
• Structure of plants and root structure, properties of water. • Diffusion and concentration gradient.
Activity:
Get the leaf of a Hydrilla plant and observe its cells under microscope. See for the movement of chloroplast by the cytoplasmic streaming.
Real Life Question:
When we water the plants, why do we always water in the soil part and not on the leaves?
Key Words / FlashCards
| Key Words | Definitions (pref. in our own words) |
|---|---|
| Apoplast pathway | It is the system of adjacent cells continuous throughout the plants except at the casparian strips. Water moves through intercellular spaces and walls of the cells. Mass flow of water occurs through cohesive and adhesive properties of water. |
| Symplast pathway | System of interconnected protoplasts. Movement occurs through the cytoplasm via plasmodesmata. |
| Water movement to xylem | Movement of water takes place mostly through apoplast. In endodermis, due to the casparian strip which is impermeable to water, it moves through symplast to the xylem. |
| Mycorrhiza | Symbiotic association with the fungus. Helps in absorption of water for the roots. Roots provide sugars and other compounds for its growth. |
Learning aids / Gadgets
| Gadgets | How it can be used |
|---|---|
| Plant Leaf | Observe a plant leaf through microscope. Try to look out for various parts of the plants such as endodermis, xylem, etc. |
Real life uses :
Plants need water for growth which is absorbed by the roots from the soil.
Places to visit :
Biology Laboratory or botany laboratory.
Practical examples around us
| Examples | Explainations |
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What you learn in Theory:
The various modes by which roots absorb water.
What you learn in Practice:
How roots absorb water and help in growth and survival of plants.