Transport in Plants

Transport in Plants
© 2022, Aakash BYJU'S. All rights reserved.

Key Takeaway
Essential nutrients for

plants
1
2 Simple diffusion
Facilitated diffusion 3
Types
4 Active transport
Water transport in plants 5
6 Water Potential

Key Takeaway
Osmosis 7
8 Types of solution
Absorption of water 9
10 Transpiration
Affecting factors
Mineral absorption by
roots
11 Transpiration pull
12 Pressure flow hypothesis
Summary
Essential Nutrients for Plants
● Plants obtain minerals from

soil that are essential for their
metabolism. Magnesium Potassium
Mg K
● Soil is the major reservoir of
water for the plants. Chlorine Phosphorus
Cl P
● Xylem and phloem transport
water and food, respectively, to Calcium Nitrogen
all the plant parts. Ca N
Water
● The transport of water along
with minerals is unidirectional,
i.e., from roots to stem.

Simple Diffusion
● The movement of molecules from

their higher concentration to the lower
concentration until they attain
equilibrium is known as simple diffusion.
● Characteristics of diffusion:
o Diffusion is a slow process.
o It is independent of the living system.
o Gases and liquids diffuse.
o Diffusion occurs over short distances.
▪ Cell to cell.
▪ One part of the cell to another.
▪ Across intracellular spaces.
o Diffusion generally uses no energy.
● In plants, CO2 and O2 are released and
absorbed by diffusion.

Factors Affecting Rate of Diffusion
Factor Description
Concentration Concentration gradient ∝ Rate of diffusion

gradient ● When the concentration gradient is high between two systems,
the molecules diffuse to neutralise the difference in concentration.
Temperature Temperature ∝ Rate of diffusion

● The rise in temperature leads to an increase in the kinetic energy of
molecules.
● The molecules get agitated and cross the membrane.
Pressure Pressure ∝ Rate of diffusion

● An increase in pressure increases the kinetic energy of molecules.
● The rate of diffusion of the molecules increases.
Density Density ∝ 1/Rate of diffusion

● Denser the molecule, lesser the rate of diffusion.
Surface area of Surface area ∝ Rate of diffusion

the membrane ● As the surface area increases, the number of molecules that diffuse
increase.

Did You Know?
The security system of the cell - Plasma membrane

● Molecules that are lipid-soluble, i.e., lipophilic, are allowed to cross the lipid bilayer
via diffusion.
● Molecules that are not lipid-soluble cannot cross the lipid membrane.
How do lipid insoluble

molecules get entry into
Lipid
Lipid the cell?
Extracellular soluble
insoluble
Lipid bilayer
Intracellular Entry Access

space successful denied

Facilitated Diffusion
Extracellular fluid
● Facilitated diffusion is the movement
of lipid insoluble molecules through
the cell membranes.
● It occurs with the help of specialised Plasma
proteins with no expenditure of membrane
ATP energy across the concentration
Carrier
gradient.
proteins
o It is highly specific to the molecule Cytoplasm
that is being transported.
o Specialised proteins transport
only a few molecules across the
membrane.
o They are sensitive to inhibitors.

Specialised proteins
● They act as pores in the membrane that allow

Channel proteins molecules to pass through.
● Porins are large proteins that are present in the membrane

Porins of plastid, mitochondria, and bacteria.
● Small proteins can pass through these.
● Special channel proteins that transport water molecules.

Aquaporins ● Water channels are made up of eight different aquaporins.
● Gated channel proteins have a gate structure.

Gated channel
● They have binding sites which are specific to certain
proteins molecules.

● Carrier proteins undergo structural configuration

Carrier proteins change and transport the molecules.
Molecules are transported

from extracellular space to
the inside of cell.
Receptor Carrier
proteins
Glucose
Carrier protein opens towards

the extracellular side.

Types
Uniport Symport Antiport

● It is the movement ● It is the movement ● It is the movement of
of a single type of of two types of two types of
molecule across the molecules in the molecules in the
membranes same direction. It opposite direction.
through proteins is a coupled
unidirectionally. diffusion.

Imbibition
● It is a special type of diffusion in which the water molecules are absorbed by

solids which leads to increase in the volume.
● This type of diffusion also occurs across concentration gradients.
Seeds absorb water that provides essential

force for germination.
Active Transport
● The movement of molecules against

the concentration gradient by the Simple diffusion Active transport
expenditure of energy is known as High
High
active transport. concentration
concentration
No ATP ATP required
● The active transport is also known as required
uphill transport.
● The energy is spent in the form of ATP.
Low Low
● Active transport is highly specific. concentration concentration
● It is sensitive to inhibitors.
Simple diffusion vs active transport
● The active transport also uses
transport proteins.
● They are the pumps that utilise ATP to
transport molecules across the cell
membranes against the
concentration gradient.

Saturation
● The rate of transport (facilitated and active transport) of molecules reaches the
maximum when all the transporters are occupied.
Translocation
● The bulk flow of water and nutrients from one location to another via vascular
tissues (xylem and phloem) is known as translocation.
● Unlike diffusion, translocation is a long-distance transport of molecules.

Purpose of Water in Plants
For growth and

For photosynthesis Transpiration
maintenance of cells
● Plant cells are known ● Plants need water for ● It is the evaporative
to have a high water photosynthesis. loss of water from the
content. Photosynthesis uses leaf/stem of a plant
● Water is an essential sunlight, carbon through stomata.
component of all the dioxide, and water to ● At the same time,
cells. produce oxygen and release of oxygen and
glucose. intake of carbon
● However, only one dioxide due to the
percent of all the opening of stomata
water absorbed by also take place.
plants is used for
photosynthesis.

Water Transport in Plants
Short distance transport Long distance transport
The transport of water at a ● Long distance transport is the

cellular level: transport of water from the roots
● For example, the water is to the different parts/organs of a
absorbed into the root hair plant.
cells. ● This is possible due to xylem
● This transport is from the tissue.
environment to the cells.
● And once the water is
absorbed, it is transported to
other cells. This is a transport
from cell to cell.

Water Potential
● The kinetic energy of water molecules can be

represented by another concept, which is the
water potential.
● It is the measure of concentration and free
energy of water in a system per unit volume.
● Free energy is the energy available for the

molecules to move freely.
● Water potential is denoted by a Greek symbol
psi or Ψw.
● It can be expressed in the unit of pressure
known as pascals (Pa).

Water Potential
Ψw of pure water = 0
● Pure water has the

highest water potential C6H12O6
Pure water
because the water Water with solute
Lower kinetic Higher kinetic
molecules in pure water energy
have the highest energy
kinetic energy.
● The water potential of
pure water is assumed Kinetic energy of Water
to be zero under water molecules potential (Ψw)
standard temperature
and no pressure.
Kinetic or Free Water Water

energy of water concentration potential
Water Potential
● The water potential of a solution is always less than the water potential of pure
water and becomes negative since the water potential of pure water is zero.
o When a solute is added to water, some of the free water molecules bind to the
solute and this decreases the number of water molecules that can move freely.
Hence, the overall free energy as well as the concentration of water decreases.
Ψw of a solution = Negative
Kinetic or Free Water Water

energy of water concentration potential

Water Potential
Water with solute C6H12O6

Pure water
Lower water Higher water
concentration or concentration
free energy or free energy
(Higher Ψw)
Diffusion of water
(To lower Ψw)
● Hence, the net movement of water is from the regions of higher water
potential to the regions of lower water potential.

Water Potential
Factors affecting water potential
● The magnitude of the decrease of water potential from pure water

Solute potential due to the dissolution of a solute is known as solute potential.
● Solute potential is represented by Ψs.
● Ψs is always negative as the water potential of pure water is zero and
the addition of solutes decreases its potential.
● The magnitude of the change of water potential due to the

Pressure potential mechanical pressure is known as pressure potential.
● Pressure potential is represented by Ψp.
● Ψp can be positive or negative.
Water potential = Solute potential + Pressure potential
(Ψw) (Ψs) (Ψp)
● At atmospheric pressure, Ψp = 0. Hence, Ψw = Ψs.

Water Potential
● Negative pressure potential or

tension is seen in the xylem Water lost by
tissue that transports water. transpiration
● When the water is lost from the

leaf surface through the stomata,
this creates a negative pressure Negative pressure
that causes the water in the potential
xylem to be sucked in and this
Water absorbed
negative pressure in the xylem by root hair
causes the water from the soil
to be sucked by the roots as well.

Osmosis
Region of lower Region of higher chemical

chemical potential/ potential/Water potential/
● The diffusion of water across a Water potential/Water Water concentration
selectively permeable concentration
membrane, until equilibrium is
reached, is known as osmosis.
● The direction and rate of
osmosis is dependent on the C6H12O6
following:
o Pressure gradient
o Concentration gradient Semi-permeable
membrane
Osmosis
Until equilibrium is reached

Osmosis
Potato osmometer experiment
Higher solute concentration,

lower water potential
Sugar Final level

solution Initial level
Potato
(peeled up to
Water
water level)
Lower solute concentration, higher

water potential
● In this experiment, a potato with some sugar solution is placed in a beaker

containing water.
● After a while, the water level outside the potato slightly decreases, while the
water level inside the potato increases.
Osmosis
Potato osmometer experiment
● This is because there is a higher solute concentration and a lower water potential
inside the potato, while the outside has a lower solute concentration and a higher
water potential.
● So, there is osmosis, i.e., movement of water from outside to inside.
Higher Lower
Osmosis Water potential or
Water potential or
Water concentration Water concentration
Lower Osmosis Higher

Solute concentration Solute concentration

Osmosis
Thistle funnel experiment
Scenario 1
● Membrane is tied around the Pressure
mouth of the funnel with the
rubber band.
● It is then filled with a sugar solution.
The funnel is then placed in a
beaker containing water.
Sucrose
● Due to osmosis, the water solution
concentration in the funnel starts
increasing. Membrane
● As the water potential in the beaker
is higher, the water moves from the Water
beaker into the funnel until an
equilibrium is reached.

Osmosis
Thistle funnel experiment
Scenario 2
● External pressure can be applied from the upper part of the funnel such
that no water diffuses into the funnel through the membrane.
● The pressure that is required to prevent the water from diffusng is known as
osmotic pressure.
● Osmotic pressure ∝ Solute concentration

Osmosis
Relation between osmotic potential and water potential

● OP stands for osmotic pressure and not osmotic potential.
● Numerically osmotic pressure is equivalent to the osmotic potential, but the sign
is opposite
● The addition of more solute means that more pressure is required to stop the flow of
water. Hence, osmotic pressure or OP is the negative version of osmotic potential.
-(Osmotic pressure or OP) = Osmotic potential
Osmotic potential = Solute potential
Ψw = Ψp + Ψs
Ψw = Ψp + (-OP)
Ψw = Ψp - OP
Water potential = Pressure potential - Osmotic pressure
Types of Solution
Isotonic solution Hypotonic solution Hypertonic solution
● ‘Iso’ = same; ‘tonic’ = concentration of ● ‘Hypo’= less than; ‘tonic’= ● ‘Hyper’ = more; ‘tonic’= concentration
the solution concentration of the solution of the solution
● An isotonic solution means a solution ● A hypotonic solution has a lower ● A hypotonic solution has more solute
having the same solute solute concentration than that of concentration than that of other
concentration as that of other other solutions. solutions.
solutions. ● The water potential in the solution is ● The water potential inside the cell is
● If the external solution balances the higher when compared to the water higher than the water potential
osmotic pressure of the cytoplasm, potential inside the cell. outside the cell.
then it is said to be isotonic. ● So, the water will move from the ● So, the water moves out of the cell
● When the cell (or tissue) is placed in outside to the inside, i.e., endosmosis. and the cell shrinks i.e., exosmosis.
an isotonic solution, there is no net This will lead to an increased pressure ● Due to the exosmosis, RBC shrinks
flow of water towards the inside or on the cell membrane. and the plant cell becomes
outside. ● Due to the endosmosis: plasmolysed.
● When water flows into the cell and o Animal cells like RBCs burst or get
out of the cell and the cell is in lysed due to the increased
equilibrium, it is said to be flaccid. pressure on the cell membrane
o In a plant cell, the protoplast exerts
pressure on the cell wall, making
the cell turgid or swollen.

Pressure Potential/Turgor Pressure
● The pressure exerted by the Flaccid Turgid

protoplasts against the rigid cell
wall due to the entry of the water
is known as pressure potential
(Ψp) or turgor pressure (TP).
H2O H2O H2O H2O
● This turgor pressure is ultimately
responsible for the enlargement
and extensive growth of the cells.
● The pressure potential of a flaccid
cell is low and the pressure No pressure Pressure
potential of a turgid cell is high. on cell wall on cell wall

Plasmolysis
● It is a process of shrinkage of protoplasm of a plant cell and is

caused due to the loss of water in the cell.
● This occurs when the cell is placed in a hypertonic solution.
● The space between the cell wall and the shrunken protoplast is
occupied by the plasmolysis solution or the hypertonic solution
● The process of plasmolysis is reversible.
Plasmolysing
Plasma Cell wall solution
H2O
membrane
Cells showing
contraction of Plasmolysed
Normal cell cytoplasm cell

Mass or Bulk Flow System
● Plants achieve long distance transport by

employing mass flow systems. Xylem Phloem Companion
H2O cell
o The movement of substances in bulk or en
masse from one point to another is because Source
Transpiration of water
cell (leaf)
of the pressure differences between two
points.
o Substances move like suspended silt moving
Translocation
through a flowing river.
of sucrose
● The long distance transport that occurs through
vascular tissues is known as translocation. Sink cell
(root)
● There is a complex traffic of compounds
occurring in a very orderly manner and is H2O
moving in different directions.
● This is unlike diffusion where different
substances move independently, only
depending upon their concentration gradients.

Methods of Translocation
● Translocation operates either through positive hydrostatic pressure or

negative hydrostatic pressure.
o The force exerted towards the gravity is known as positive hydrostatic
pressure.
o The force exerted away from the gravity is known as negative
hydrostatic pressure.

Absorption of Water
How does water enter plants?

Although water absorption can take place
throughout the surface of roots, root hairs
are specialised to draw in water.
Root hair
● The root hairs are thin-walled slender
extensions of root epidermal cells. They
increase the area of absorption.
Mycorrhiza Root cap

● It is the symbiotic association of
fungus with the root system.
● Fungal filaments form a network
around the young roots. These
filaments penetrate the roots and
increase water absorption.

Pathways of Water Absorption
Apoplast pathway Symplast pathway
● The water passes through the ● Symplast is the system of

intercellular spaces and the cell wall interconnected protoplasts.
of the intervening cells. ● The water travels through the
● It does not involve the crossing of any cytoplasm of intervening cells.
membrane or cytoplasm of the cells. ● The neighbouring cells are connected
● This pathway discontinues at the through bridges known as
casparian strip and resumes in xylem plasmodesmata.
vessel after crossing the endodermis. ● The water enters the cell through the
● It depends on the gradient. cell membrane, hence the movement
● It consists of the non-living parts of the is slower.
cells. ● It consists of living parts of the cell.
● It has a little resistance to the water ● It has a greater resistance to the water.
movement.
● It is faster.

Absorption of Water
Apoplastic pathway Symplastic pathway
Casparian strip
Xylem vessels
Root hair
Epidermis Endodermis
Cortex
Plasmodesmata
● Plasmodesmata are formed during the cell division when

endoplasmic reticulum is incorporated into the developing cell
plate.
● This creates a cytoplasmic channel connecting two plant cells.
● They have been shown to be involved in the intercellular sugar,
water, protein, mRNA and viral transport.
● They serve to connect the symplastic space in the plant and are
extremely specialised channels that allow the intercellular
movement of water, various nutrients and other molecules
(including signalling molecules).

Root Pressure
● The movement of ions and water from the soil increases the pressure inside the
xylem.
● The positive pressure developed is the root pressure.
● It is responsible for putting up water to small heights in the stem.
● The effects of the root pressure are most observable at nights and early mornings.
Clamp
Glass tube
Water
Strong rubber tubing
Cut stem portion
Soil
Water
Root pressure in the plant

Guttation
● In early mornings and nights, when the evaporation is low,

excess water is collected in the form of droplets around a
special opening of veins near the tip of leaves and the tip
of grass blades. Such water loss is known as guttation.
● The process of exudation of liquid from the margins of
leaves occurs through special openings known as
hydathodes.
Capillary Action
● It is the tendency of a liquid to rise up against the gravity
when confined within a narrow tube.
● It occurs due to cohesion, adhesion, and surface tension.
● The xylem serves as the provider for this capillary action.
● It is probably the longest part of the pathway that the
water takes on its way to the leaves of a plant.

Transpiration
Factors affecting transpiration
Light Wind speed

● In general, as the intensity of light ● Strong winds can
increases, the rate of transpiration promote transpiration.
also increases.
Temperature Humidity
● Increase in temperature causes an ● High humidity causes a decrease
increase in the rate of transpiration in the rate of transpiration.
until a certain temperature.
Number and distribution of
Carbon dioxide concentration stomata
● Increase in CO2 induces stomatal
opening. Percentage of open stomata
Canopy Water status of the plant

Transpiration
Significance
● The transpiration pull helps in the absorption and

transport of water.
● It provides water for photosynthesis.
● It produces a cooling effect.
● It helps to keep the cells turgid.
● It helps in the removal of excess water.
● It also helps in the distribution of minerals.

Transpiration Pull
● Transpiration pull theory was given by Dixon and Joly.

● It is defined as a biological process in which the force of pulling is
produced inside the xylem tissue.
● This force helps in the upward movement of water into the xylem
vessels.
● The transpiration pull is greater than the root pressure.
● The root pressure alone cannot play a major role in the water
movements in tall trees.

Transpiration Pull
Cohesion Adhesion Surface tension
● The attractive forces ● The attractive forces ● The water molecules

that exist between the between the molecules are more attracted to
molecules of the same of different substances. each other in the liquid
substance. ● Example: The adhesive phase than in the
● Example: Rain falls in forces between water gaseous phase.
droplets rather than a and glass.
fine mist because of the
strong cohesion.
● These properties give water high tensile strength, i.e., an ability to resist a
pulling force and high capillarity.

Transpiration Pull Process
Transpiration from the leaves causes a negative suction pressure to develop
The water from the intercellular spaces from the mesophyll cells escape
To fill the deficit of water, molecules from deeper cells are withdrawn
The deeper cells in turn obtain water from xylary elements
Tension develops throughout the xylem
More water is absorbed from the root hair

NPK Fertiliser
● Major minerals for the

growth of plants are Large amounts Moderate amounts
provided in the form of ● Carbon ● Calcium
fertilisers. ● Hydrogen ● Magnesium
● NPK fertiliser contains ● Oxygen ● Sulphur
the following:
o N: Nitrogen ● Nitrogen
o P: Phosphorus
Minerals required
● Phosphorus
o K: Potassium
for the growth of
● Potassium a plant
● NPK fertilisers are added
to the soil. The roots
absorb the nutrients and
transport them to the
other parts of the plant.

Mineral Absorption by Roots
● Mineral salts are present in soil like ions are dissolved in water.
● These mineral ions move across the cell by using transporters present in the membrane.
Passive transport Active transport
● Minerals are transported along ● Majority of the mineral

the concentration gradient. transportation is contributed by
● No energy, i.e., ATP, is spent. active transport.
● It contributes to a very low ● Minerals are transported against

amount of mineral transport. concentration gradient with the
help of ATP.
● It takes place through specialised
membrane proteins known as
pumps.

Mineral Absorption by Roots
Passive absorption Active transport
Passive
transport
Solute Solute
Epidermal Environment
concentration cell concentration
Simple Facilitated
diffusion diffusion
The molecules The molecules
pass without pass with the
the help of a help of a carrier
carrier molecule. molecule.

Process of Mineral Uptake by Roots
Plasmodesmata Casparian strip
Xylem
Epidermis Cortex Endodermis Pericycle
Cell wall Cell = Apoplast

membrane
= Symplast

Process of Mineral Uptake by Roots
● Ions and water that flow through the apoplastic pathways are passed to
the endodermal cells via transport proteins.
o Transport proteins act as check points.
▪ They can decide which solute can pass.
▪ They help in adjusting the types and quantities of the solutes in the
xylem.
● Apoplast: It facilitates the transport by a network of tunnel-like structures
in plant cells.
● Symplast: It facilitates the transport by interconnected plasmodesmata.

Translocation of Minerals
● Translocation is the long distance transportation of

materials via the vascular system in plants. Transpiration Water
● Once the minerals have reached the xylem, they evaporates
from the leaf
reach all the growing parts of the plants via surface
translocation.
● The transportation to all parts of the plants is also
aided by a transpiration stream.
o Transpiration is the process of the loss of excess Water Water travels
absorbed by through the
water in the form of vapour. the root hairs plant
o Transpiration creates a transpiration pull and a
suction force, which aid in drawing water from
the roots to the leaves.
o Minerals are also carried along with the water.
Note: Minerals like P, S, N and K undergo remobilisation and move from

the senescing parts of a plant to the young and new growing parts.
Exception: Not all minerals undergo remobilisation. Example: Ca.

The Girdling Experiment
● To identify the tissue responsible for

Heartwood
transportation of food, Italian
anatomist Marcello Malpighi
Sapwood
conducted this experiment.
● He removed the tree trunk’s bark up Cambium
to the layer of the phloem carefully
(phloem was removed here). Phloem
● In the absence of the phloem, Bark

the food cannot travel through. Annual ring
o The downward movement is
blocked.
Observation
● The portion above the ring was observed to be swollen.
● The tissue below the ring was shrivelled.
Result: The phloem is involved in the movement of organic molecules.
Source vs Sink
Source Sink
● Source is the part of a plant that produces ● It is the part of a plant where the
food. food or substances can be
● Example: Leaves. stored.
● Plants store food in sinks like roots stems etc. ● Example: Storage roots: Tubers
such as potato
● However, depending on the season and
requirement, sink and source may change. ● Plants use and store sugars as
per their requirement.
● Sugar stored in roots may be mobilised for the
buds of trees to grow in the early spring. ● Sucrose is a form of sugar that is
o In this case, roots are the source and buds used for transportation, which
are sink. when in the sink is converted
into starch.
● Since, source-sink relationship is variable,
direction of movement in phloem is bi-
directional.

Pressure Flow Hypothesis
Step 3: Water flows from
● The mechanism of
the xylem to the phloem
the transportation
of material from
Step 1: Diffusion through
the source to the
plasmodesmata or active
sink is known as
transport
the pressure flow
hypothesis. Step 2: Phloem loading
● It was proposed by
Companion Cell Step 4: Water flows
Ernst Munch.
to the sieve tube
o The substances
may move in
bulk or
masses.
Step 5: Phloem unloading
o They move like
a suspended
silt moving Step 6: Sucrose to sink +
through a Water moves back to the
flowing river. Phloem transport mechanism xylem

Step 1
● Sugars produced by photosynthesis move from the source, i.e., leaves, to the
phloem.
● Sugars, i.e., sucrose molecules, are actively transported or diffused into the
companion cells of the phloem.
Step 2
● The movement of the sucrose from the companion cells of the phloem to the
living sieve tubes happens.
● This step is also known as phloem loading.
● It is an active process that requires ATP.
o Phloem sap has hormones, sucrose, and other solutes.
o The movement of sucrose molecules against the concentration gradient
from companion cells requires energy.

Step 3
● Water moves from the xylem to the phloem via osmosis.

o The water potential of xylem is higher, as it has a lower solute concentration.
o The water potential of phloem is lower, as it has higher solutes.
o The active transport of the sucrose to the phloem makes the phloem sap
hypertonic.
▪ More water molecules move from the xylem to the phloem.
Water Water
potential potential
Osmosis
Solute Solute
concentration concentration

Step 4 High turgor

pressure
● As water flows from the xylem to the phloem, the
turgor pressure develops in the sieve tubes.
● The phloem tissue is composed of sieve tube cells that
form long columns. The sieve tube cells are separated
by sieve plates that have perforations.
● The materials move from a higher turgor pressure
region to a lower pressure region through these
perforations.
o Cytoplasmic strands pass through the sieve plates
and form continuous filaments.
● As the turgor pressure in the phloem increases, the
pressure flow begins.
● The sap materials along with sucrose move towards
the sink via the phloem. Low turgor
pressure
Step 5
● The cell that requires energy or where the sugars are stored (starch) is known as the
sink.
● The sucrose molecules move from the phloem sap into the sink.
o Sucrose is converted to energy, starch, or cellulose.
▪ If it is a fruit, the sucrose gets metabolised.
▪ If the sink is an underground root, the sucrose gets stored in the form of starch.
Solute Solute
Active Active
transport transport

Step 6
● The sucrose moves towards the sink.

o It creates a low osmotic pressure in the phloem.
● Water moves from the phloem to the xylem.
Water Water
potential potential
Osmosis
Solute Solute

Experiment Time
Role of xylem and phloem
Xylem transports inorganic nutrients and phloem

transports organic nutrients generally.
● The stem of the plant was cut and the xylem
sap was obtained. Xylem
exudates
● The xylem sap was analysed as follows:
o Some nitrogen is inorganic Cut Collection
o Most molecules (amino acids) had
nitrogen in organic form
o Phosphorus and sulphur were present in
organic forms (little amounts)
● Result: The xylem has some organic
compounds. This proves that the exchange
between xylem and phloem takes place.

Summary
Modes of transport in plants
Based on distance Based on energy
Short distance Diffusion Passive

Does not involve ATP
Long distance Translocation Active

Uses ATP

Summary
Facilitated diffusion:
Molecules are diffused using Types of specialised proteins
special transport proteins
Uniport: Single Channel proteins

and unidirectional
Porin Aquaporin
Symport: Same Gated channel:

direction, two Activated when molecules bind to
molecules the receptor.
Antiport: Opposite
Carrier protein:
direction, two way
Carry molecules from one side to
transport of the 2
another side of membrane
molecules
Summary
Factor Impact
Concentration gradient Concentration gradient ∝ Rate of diffusion
Temperature Temperature ∝ Rate of diffusion
Pressure Pressure ∝ Rate of diffusion
Density Density ∝ 1/Rate of diffusion
Surface area of the membrane Surface area ∝ Rate of diffusion

Summary
Simple Facilitated Active

Property
diffusion transport transport
Requires special YES

NO YES
membrane proteins
YES
Highly selective NO YES
YES
Transporter saturates NO YES
YES
Uphill transport NO NO
Requires ATP energy NO NO YES

Summary
Types of solution
Isotonic solution Hypotonic solution Hypertonic solution
Two different
solutions having It has a lower solute It has a higher solute
same solute concentration than concentration than
concentration are said that of other solutions. that of other solutions.
to be isotonic.

Summary
Translocation
The long-distance transport that occurs through
vascular tissues is known as translocation.
Methods
Positive hydrostatic pressure Negative hydrostatic pressure
Towards gravity Away from gravity

Summary
Pathways of water absorption
Apoplast pathway Symplast pathway
Transpiration
It is the loss of water in the form of vapours from the aerial parts of a plant.

Summary
Transpiration pull
It is a biological process in which the force of pulling
is produced inside the xylem tissue.
Forces
Cohesion Adhesion Surface tension
It is the attractive The water molecules

It is the attractive
force that exists are more attracted to
force between the
between the each other in the
molecules of different
molecules of the liquid phase than in
substances.
same substance. the gaseous phase.

Summary
Light Temperature
Factors
CO2
Wind affecting
concentration
transpiration
Internal
Humidity factors

Summary
Transpiration
Soil Growing parts
Root xylem
of the plant
Active & passive
Epidermis Remobilisation
Symplast & apoplast Old, dying

parts
Endodermis of the plant
Active & passive
(Transport proteins)
Xylem Rest of the plant

Summary
Step 3: Water flows from

the xylem to the phloem
Step 1: Diffusion through

plasmodesmata or active
transport
Step 2: Phloem loading
Companion cell Step 4: Water flows

to the sieve tube
Step 5: Phloem unloading
Step 6: Sucrose to sink +

Water moves back to the
Phloem transport mechanism xylem

Transport in Plants

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Transport in Plants

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Transport in Plants

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Essential nutrients for

Water transport in plants 5

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12 Pressure flow hypothesis

● Plants obtain minerals from

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● The movement of molecules from

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Concentration Concentration gradient ∝ Rate of diffusion

Temperature Temperature ∝ Rate of diffusion

Pressure Pressure ∝ Rate of diffusion

Density Density ∝ 1/Rate of diffusion

Surface area of Surface area ∝ Rate of diffusion

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The security system of the cell - Plasma membrane

How do lipid insoluble

Intracellular Entry Access

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● They act as pores in the membrane that allow

● Porins are large proteins that are present in the membrane

● Special channel proteins that transport water molecules.

● Gated channel proteins have a gate structure.

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● Carrier proteins undergo structural configuration

Molecules are transported

Carrier protein opens towards

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Uniport Symport Antiport

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● It is a special type of diffusion in which the water molecules are absorbed by

Seeds absorb water that provides essential

● The movement of molecules against

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For growth and

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Short distance transport Long distance transport

The transport of water at a ● Long distance transport is the

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● The kinetic energy of water molecules can be

● Free energy is the energy available for the

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● Pure water has the

Kinetic or Free Water Water

Kinetic or Free Water Water

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Water with solute C6H12O6

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Factors affecting water potential

● The magnitude of the decrease of water potential from pure water

● The magnitude of the change of water potential due to the

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● Negative pressure potential or

● When the water is lost from the

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Region of lower Region of higher chemical

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Potato osmometer experiment

Higher solute concentration,

Sugar Final level