Chapter 1 :

Transport
1.8 Transport
in plants
Learning outcomes :
Definition of translocation
Importance of translocation
Definition of transpiration
Factors affecting transpiration
Closing and opening of stomata
 Translocation
Transport of organic
substances via phloem
tissue in a plant
Importance of translocation
• The survival of a plant depends on the transport
of organic substances
• Enables organic substances to be stored or
converted to other sugars once it reaches the
destination
• Organic substances are translocated downwards
from the leaves to the storage such as the roots
• They are translocated upwards from the storage
organs to the growing regions such as buds
 Transpiration
Loss of water in the form of
water vapour through
evaporation from surface of
plants (through stomata and
lenticels) to the atmosphere
 Do you know ???
Only 99% of the water taken in by the plants
is evaporated via transpiration whereas only
1% is used by plant cells for photosynthesis
and turgidity of cell
Importance of transpiration
• Helps in absorption and transport of water
and mineral ions from the root to different
parts of the plant
• Help to supply water for photosynthesis
and to prevent wilting (maintain turgidity)
of the plant
• Produces a cooling effect in plant

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
Transpiration, likewise, helps
in the absorption and
upward movement of water
and minerals dissolved in it
from roots to the leaves.
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
Evaporation of water
molecules from the cells of a
The loss of water in the form
leaf (see the image given
of vapor from the leaves (i.e.
above) creates a suction
aerial parts) of the plant is
process, which pulls water
known as transpiration.
from the xylem cells of roots;
this process keeps going on.
The transport of soluble
products of photosynthesis is
Transpiration also helps in the
known as translocation,
temperature regulation (in
which occurs in the part of
plants).
the vascular tissue known
as phloem.
The Regulation of Transpiration by
Stomata
 Stomata are found more abundantly on the lower epidermis of a
dicotyledonous leaf
 Each stoma is surrounded by two guard cells which regulate the gaseous
exchange by opening and closing the stoma
 During the day
a. During the day, light stimulates photosynthesis in the
guard cells
b. Glucose is produced and energy is generated for active
transport
c. The guard cells accumulate potassium ions (K+ ) from
adjacent cells through active transport
d. Guard cell become hypertonic and water from the
adjacent cells diffuses into the guard cells by osmosis
e. The guard cells swell up and become turgid
f. Since inner wall is thicker compared to outer wall, guard
cells bend outwards
g. Stoma opens
During night
a.During the night, photosynthesis
stops
b.Potassium ions (K+ ) exit the guard
cell
c.Water diffuses out from the guard
cells by osmosis
d.The guard cells become flaccid
e.Stoma closes
Activity 1 : Role play
Group A & B
Describe closing and
opening of stomata
Factors affecting transpiration :
a)Light intensity
b)Temperature
c)Air movement
d)Relative humidity
Activity 2 : Experiment Discussion
Amali Book
Experiment 1.4
Experiment : To study the effect of
air movement on the rate of
transpiration
 Homework
Amali Book
Experiment 1.5
Experiment : To study the effect of
light intensity on the rate of
transpiration
Due 21th Feb
Learning outcomes :
 Explain the role of root pressure in the
movement of water in plants
 Explain the role of cohesion and
adhesion of water in the movement of
water in plants
 Conceptualise the transport mechanism
in plants
Water enters by osmosis from root hairs and
continues until it reaches the xylem vessels.
 Diffusion and
active transport
are involved in
the absorption
of dissolved
mineral salts.

Xylem
vessel
 Water is drawn
up the xylem in
the stem by
three factors:
• Root pressure

2) Capillary • Capillary action

3) Transpiration
action
pull • Transpiration
1) Root pressure
pull
 Root pressure refers to the forces that
draws water up to the xylem vessels by
osmosis and active transport.

 Capillary action plays a part in upward

movement of water in small plants.

 Transpiration pull refers to the strongest

force that causes water to rise up to the
leaves of tall trees. It is a result of loss of
water vapour from the leaves (transpiration).
Activity 1 : Mahjong Paper Presentation

Explain transport mechanism

(root pressure, capillary action,
transpirational pull)