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Comparing Transport in Mammals and Plants
Comparing Transport in Mammals and Plants
1
Comparing Transport in Mammals and Plants
Bio Factsheet
Mammals Plants
Specialised tubes - arteries, veins and capillaries Specialised but much smaller diameter tubes - xylem vessels and
tracheids and phloem sieve tubes
Tubes form a closed circulation system Tubes do not form a circulatory system but system is closed
All parts of transport network are composed of living cells Not all parts of the transport system are composed of living cells
Glucose, amino acids, fatty acids, glycerol, vitamins, minerals and Sucrose, amino acids, fatty acids, glycerol, vitamins and hormones
hormones are transported from gut to wherever they are needed eg. are transported from site of production or absorption to wherever
active cells in blood they are needed eg. root and shoot apices or storage areas in the
phloem. The xylem transport water and minerals
Blood carries dissolved oxygen towards - and carbon dioxide away Respiratory gases not carried by transport system
from- respiring tissues
Blood has important role in clotting and destruction of pathogens Solutions in xylem and phloem have no such roles
which enter body
Much ATP energy required for operation of transport pump (heart) No pump. ATP energy required only for translocation of
and for contraction of arteries and skeletal muscles and veins. substances in phloem sieve tube elements and for generation of root
Backflow in veins prevented by valves pressure. Most of the transpiration stream is a passive process -
does not require energy
The circulatory system is controlled by the heart which is itself No central control in plants. Flow rate in xylem and phloem are
under the control of the autonomic nervous system independent
Rate of blood flow can be controlled eg. by vasoconstriction Rate of flow in xylem is dependent upon external environmental
conditions, through effect on stomata
Rate of flow of entire system quite rapid - reflects huge ATP Rate of flow slower - immobile, no temperature control therefore
demand for mobile homeotherms ATP demand is much lower
4. Carefully read the following account of control of transpiration and 3. maintenance of heartbeat;
then fill in the blanks: contraction of arterial walls;
contraction of skeletal muscle around veins;
The rate of transpiration can be controlled through opening and closure
of ............... This is influenced by environmental conditions such as 4. stomata; light intensity/temperature/ water availability;
..................... and .................... (2 marks)
5. flow rate fast in mammals; because mobility/temp control creates high
5. Account for the difference in flow rates in the transport systems of ATP demand;
mammals and plants. flow rate slower in plants; ATP demand lower since immobile/no
(4 marks) temperature control;
Acknowledgements; Curriculum Press, Unit 305B, The Big Peg, 120 Vyse Street, Birmingham. B18 6NF
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