Understanding Plant Transport: Water, Nutrients, and Sugar Flow in Xylem and Phloem
This overview explores the essential transport mechanisms in plants, detailing how roots absorb water and minerals and how xylem and phloem facilitate the movement of water, nutrients, and sugars. Water travels up the xylem, aided by evaporation and unbroken chains of molecules, while phloem transports food from leaves to the rest of the plant. The role of light and CO2 in photosynthesis is also highlighted, along with the importance of various macronutrients and micronutrients required for plant health.
Understanding Plant Transport: Water, Nutrients, and Sugar Flow in Xylem and Phloem
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Presentation Transcript
Plants require: CO2 Light Sugar H2O O2 Minerals Macronutrients (besides C, H, O) Ca, K, Mg, N, P, S Micronutrients B, Cl, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Zn
Water goes up the Xylem From root To leaf then Transpires
Sugar made In the leaf Goes down The Phloem
How does xylem transport xylem sap? Nearly all of the energy to drive the process comes from the sun Evaporation at the top pulls water up from the bottom Unbroken chains of water molecules fill xylem vessels
How does xylem transport xylem sap? Water vapor escapes through stomata
How does phloem transport phloem sap? Food (sugars) are then moved from leaves to the rest of the plant
Not all herbivores chew leaves… Some exploit sap E.g., aphids tap sieve-tube elements for phloem sap
Summary • Xylem is
H/W • P97 • Q 3,5,7,8.
