4.

Absorption by Roots

Outline
Roots and its importance Water and its importance Minerals and its importance Modes of Absorption and Conduction of Water and Minerals E. Terminology F. Absorption of Water G. Absorption of Minerals
G.1. Active Absorption G.2. Passive Absorption

A. B. C. D.

H. Ascent of Sap
H.1. Path of conduction of water H.1.1. Experiment to show that the water is conducted through the tracheary elements of xylem. H.2. Mechanism of Ascent of Sap H.2.1. Root Pressure Theory H.2.2. Capillary Theory H.2.3. Transpirational Pull Theory

E. Terminology
E.1. Imbibition E.2. Diffusion
E.2. 1 Diffusion of Gases E.2. 2 Diffusion of Liquids

E.3. Osmosis
E.3. 1 Demonstration of Osmosis E.3. 2 Osmosis in Living Tissues E.3.2.1 Experiment demonstrating osmosis in living tissues E.3.3 Types of OSMOSIS E.3.3.1 Endosmosis E.3.3.2 Exosmosis E.3.4 Osmotic Pressure E.3.5 Importance of Osmosis E.3.6 Difference between Diffusion and Osmosis

E.4. Tonicity (Types of Solutions)

E.4.1 Hypertonic Solutions E.4.2 Hypotonic Solutions E.4.3 Isotonic Solutions

(Continue) E. Terminology
E.5. Turgor Pressure and Turgidity E.6. Wall Pressure E.7. Flaccidity E.8. Utility of Turgidity E.9. Root Pressure
E.9.1 Experiment to demonstrate root pressure in Plants.

E.10. Plasmolysis and Deplasmolysis

E.10.1 Experiment to demonstrate the phenomenon of plasmolysis and deplasmolysis E.10.2 Difference in Plasmolysis and Osmosis

A. Roots and its importance

All terrestrial plants absorb water and minerals from the soil with the help of their roots (except Epiphytes & Parasites). Then they transport to all the other parts of the plant. Most of the water absorbed is lost through the aerial parts of the plants like stomata. This maintains a continuous suction in the plant which makes the roots absorb water continuously according to their need.