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9.1 Transport in the xylem of plants

IB Syllabus Statements

Understandings:

  • Transpiration is the inevitable consequence of gas exchange in the leaf.

  • Plants transport water from the roots to the leaves to replace losses from transpiration.

  • The cohesive property of water and the structure of the xylem vessels allow transport under tension.

  • The adhesive property of water and evaporation generate tension forces in leaf cell walls.

  • Active uptake of mineral ions in the roots causes absorption of water by osmosis.

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Applications and skills:

  • Application: Adaptations of plants in deserts and in saline soils for water conservation.

  • Application: Models of water transport in xylem using simple apparatus including blotting or filter paper, porous pots and capillary tubing.

  • Skill: Drawing the structure of primary xylem vessels in sections of stems based on microscope images.

  • Skill: Measurement of transpiration rates using potometers. (Practical 7)

  • Skill: Design of an experiment to test hypotheses about the effect of temperature or humidity on transpiration rates.

Videos

Intro into transpiration

Xylem Vessels

Halophytes

Models of Xylem Transport

Measuring Transpiration

Active Transport in Plants to Draw in Water

Transpiration

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Topic 9.1 Transport in the xylem of plants SSaQ (Syllabus Statement as Questions)

  • What is meant by the phrase ‘transpiration is the inevitable consequence of gas exchange in the leaf’?

  • How does water that is lost through transpiration get replaced?

  • What properties of water and xylem vessels allow for water transport under tension?

  • Explain the role of mineral ions in how water is taken into the roots by osmosis.

  • Outline the adaptations of desert plants (xerophytes) for water conservation.

  • Outline the adaptations of saline soil plants (halophytes) for water conservation.

  • Outline the following models of xylem transport: filter paper, porous pots, capillary tubing

  • Draw the structure of a primary xylem vessel based on microscope images

  • Explain how you would measure transpiration rate using a potometer.

  • Outline how you would set up an experiment to test the effect of temperature or humidity on transpiration rate.

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