ABSORPTION BY ROOTS (CHAPTER-4) BIOLOGY

DEFINITION:

1)ROOT HAIR-THESE ARE UNICELLULAR, TUBULAR EXTENSIONS OF THE OUTER EPIDERMAL CELL OF
THE ROOT. THEY ARE CONSTANTLY DYING OFF AND BEING REPLACED BY NEW ONES AS THE
ROOT GROWS AND EXTENDS ITSELF INTO THE SOIL.

2)CELL SAP –IT IS A NON LIVING CONTENT OF THE VACUOLE . IT IS THE FLUID MANUFACTURED
BY THE CYTOPLASM OF THE LIVING PLANT CELL. IT CONTAINS VARIABLE AMOUNTS OF FOOD
AND WASTE MATERIAL S , INORGANIC SALTS AND NITROGENOUS COMPOUNDS , IT HAS A
CONCENTRATION HIGHER THAN THAT OF SURROUNDING WATER.

FUNCTION OF CELL SAP : 1) THE LIQUID INSIDE THE PLANT VACUOLE SERVES AS A STORAGE
MATERIAL THAT AIDS IN PROVIDING THE MECHANICAL SUPPORT TO THE PLANT ESPECIALLY THE
NON WOODY PLANTS . 2)THE PLANT CELL SAP ALSO PLAYS IMPORTANT ROLE IN CELL OSMOSIS.
THIS IS AN IMPORTANT REQUIREMENT TO DRAW IN THE OUTSIDE WATER.S

3)IMBIBITION-THE PHENOMENON BY WHICH THE LIVING OR DEAD PLANT CELLS ABSORB WATER
BY SURFACE ATTRACTION.

IMPORTANCE OF IMBIBITION-1) IMBIBITION IS THE INITIAL STEP IN SEED GERMINATION. AFTER

IMBIBING WATER, THE SEEDS SWELL UP AND CAUSE RUPTURE OF SEED COAT. 2)DURING
ABSORPTION OF WATER BY ROOTS,WATER IS FIRST ABSORBED ON THE WALL OF ROOT HAIR
AND THEN ABSORBED.

4)DIFFUSION- THE FREE MOVEMENT OF MOLECULES OF A SUBSTANCES (SOLUTE OR SOLVENT,

GAS OR LIQUID) FROM THE REGION OF THEIR HIGHER CONCENTRATION TO THE REGION OF
THEIR LOWER CONCENTRATION WHEN THE TWO ARE IN A DIRECT CONTACT.

SIGNIFICANCE OF DIFFUSION-1) TRANSPIRATION OF WATER VAPOUR FROM STOMATA OCCURS

THROUGH DIFFUSION. 2)IT SPREADS SOLUBLE MOLECULES AND IONS THROUGHOUT THE CELL
CYTOPLASM. 3)IT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR RESPIRATORY EXCHANGE OF GASES BETWEEN CELL AND
THEIR SURROUNDINGS.4) IT HELPS IN THE SPREADS OF FRAGRANCE FROM FLOWERS INTO THE
AIR AND THUS ATTRACTS POLLINATING AGENTS.

5)OSMOSIS- it is the diffusion of water molecules across a semi permeable membrane from a
more dilute solution to a less dilute solution. OR Qsmosis is the diffusion of water molecules
across a semi- permeable membrane from its higher concentration (more dilute) to its lower
concentration (less dilute) region.

Significance of osmosis-1) It helps in absorption of water and minerals from the soil by root
hair.2) Osmosis helps in cell to cell movement of water. 3)Osmosis plays a key role in growth of
radicle and plumule during seed germination. 4)Osmosis develops turgor pressure which helps in
opening and closing of stomata.5)It helps the living cells to remain turgid. This helps in deeper
penetration of roots,extension of leaves, stretching of stem etc.

6)Semi permeable membranes --Such membranes are selective in action.These membranes allow
solvent of one side to move freely but donot permit the movement of solute. E.g cellophane
paper,egg membrane, animal bladder

7)Impermeable membranes- They donot permit diffusion of water and soluteinto and out of the
cell.e.g-cuticle on plant cell.

8)Freely permeable membranes- They allow free movement of water and solutes into and out of
the cell. E.g-cell wall in plant cell

9) differences between:

(a)Passive transport and Active transport

Passive transport Active transport

1)movement of molecules from higher to lower
concentration (along the concentration
gradient.)
2)No energy is spent during this process.
3)It is a slow process .
4)It is a physical process
5)Reduction in oxygen supply and metabolic
poison do not influence passive transport.
1)Movement of molecules(salts and ions)from
lower to higher concentration(against the
concentration gradient.)
2)Energy is spent and is obtained from ATP
3)It is a rapid process.
4)It is a vital process
5)Reduction in oxygen supply and also
metabolic poisons bring low rate of active
transport.

10)Define –Turgor pressure - Hydrostatic pressure exerted by the cell contents and protoplasm
due to entry of water against the cell wall.

Wall pressure- Equal and opposite pressure given by the cell wall on the cell contents to counter
the turgor pressure.

11)Differences between : Plasmolysis and Deplasmolysis

Plasmolysis
1)It is the contraction of cytoplasm and
withdrawl of plasma membrane from the cell
wall caused due to the withdrawl of water
when placed in a hypertonic solution
2)In plasmolysis the cell becomes flaccid.
Deplasmolysis
1)Deplasmolysis is the recovery of a
plasmolysed cell when it is placed in water,
wherein the cell’s protoplasm again swells up
due to the re-entry of water
2)In deplasmolysis,the cell becomes turgid.

12Given below the cross section of a part of a root

pathway of movement of water and minerals from soil to xylem

soil water root hair epidermis/epiblema cortex endodermis

xylem pericycle

13)s The diagram given below shows different zones of a root