Transportation in Plants The plants have low energy needs, | Arihant Books | DC Pandey Books ™
Transportation in Plants
The plants have low energy needs, as they use relatively slow transport systems.
Plant transport systems move energy from leaves and raw materials from roots to all their parts.
The xylem (tissue) moves water and minerals obtained from the soil to all other parts of the plants.
The phloem (tissue) transports products of photosynthesis from the leaves (where they are synthesized) to other parts of the plant.
Movement of Water in Plants
Water moves into the root from the soil and then steady it moves into the root xylem, creating a column of water, which is progressively pushed upwards.
Evaporation of water molecules from the cells of a leaf (see the image given above) creates a suction process, which pulls water from the xylem cells of roots; this process keeps going on.
The loss of water in the form of vapor from the leaves (i.e. aerial parts) of the plant is known as transpiration.
Transpiration, likewise, helps in the absorption and upward movement of water and minerals dissolved in it from roots to the leaves.
Transpiration also helps in the temperature regulation (in plants).
The transport of soluble products of photosynthesis is known as translocation, which occurs in the part of the vascular tissue known as phloem.
Along with photosynthesis products, the phloem also transports amino acids and other substances, which are ultimately delivered to roots, fruits, seeds, and to growing organs.
