D. Crowley, 2008. To know how roots are adapted for absorption Monday, August 10, 2015.

D. Crowley, 2008

To know how roots are adapted for absorption

Wednesday, April 19, 2023

Look at the following, and decide if the statements are true or false…1. New material in plants is called biomass2. Plants use soil and water to make new biomass via respiration3. Sound energy is needed for photosynthesis to occur4. Photosynthesis produces glucose and carbon dioxide5. Photosynthesis happens mainly in the palisade cells within the

roots6. Palisade cells are adapted to their function by having lots of

chloroplasts7. Plants use glucose to make cellulose, fats, proteins and starch8. Roots take in water and minerals9. Roots are adapted to take in water by having a small surface area10.Water travels up the plant in xylem tubes11.Plants need carbon dioxide to make glucose12.Plants are important in making carbon dioxide to keep the

atmosphere in balance

True

True

True

True

True

True

False - photo.

False - light

False – oxygen

False - leaves

False - large

False – oxygen produced to balance atmosphere

What are the functions of roots?• Absorb water• Absorb minerals• Anchorage (hold the plant to the ground)

Look at the samples of root under the microscope – how are they adapted for absorption?

Water and minerals are absorbed from the soil via the roots

The roots are covered with millions of tiny root hair cells

These have a very large surface area, allowing the roots to absorb large amounts of water and minerals

Roots are spread out, helping both absorption of water and minerals and with anchorage…

water

Why do plants need water?• Plants need water for photosynthesis to take place

6CO2 + 6H2O C6H12O6 + 6O2

• Helps with transport around the plant

• Helps the plant stay rigid and upright

• Allows the plant to keep cool (transpiration is the loss of water from the plant, as water evaporates from the leaves (which draws up water + minerals from the roots))

Plant roots are also adapted to absorb minerals from the soil

There are three essential minerals plants need to stay healthy: -

• Nitrates – for protein manufacture

• Phosphates – for photosynthesis and respiration

• Potassium – for photosynthesis and respiration

A lack of minerals can cause major problems for a plant: -

• A lack of nitrate can cause stunted growth and yellowing of older leaves

• A lack of phosphate can cause poor root growth and purple younger leaves

• A lack of potassium can cause yellow leaves with dead spots on them

Roots provide stability for the plant, keeping it fixed to the soil which is needed, especially when it is windy

Xylem tubes carry water and minerals up the plant via the transpiration stream

They have strong side walls made of lignin, giving the plant support

They are made of dead cells with no ends between them

Phloem tubes transport food up and down the plant

They carry sugars; fats; proteins etc… to growing regions / storage regions in the plant

They are made of living cells