The importance of exchange surfaces and transport systems in plants
I can explain how exchange surfaces and transport systems enable cells in multicellular plants to be supplied quickly with substances they need to stay alive.
The importance of exchange surfaces and transport systems in plants
I can explain how exchange surfaces and transport systems enable cells in multicellular plants to be supplied quickly with substances they need to stay alive.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Cells in all parts of a multicellular plant need water and nutrients, such as mineral ions, to stay alive.
- Xylem and phloem transport substances around the plant and minimise the distance they have to diffuse to reach cells.
- Root hair cells are an example of an exchange surface in plants.
- The root hair cell membrane is adapted to maximise the surface area for osmosis of water and active transport of ions.
Common misconception
Students struggle with the idea that plants have organs and systems like humans, and that all these systems and cells are adapted with specialised features to enable them to do their job effectively.
The plant vascular system and human circulatory system have been compared, and human lung alveoli and digestive system villi have been compared with root hair cells.
Keywords
Diffusion - the net movement of particles from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration
Active transport - the net movement of particles against a concentration gradient using energy
Osmosis - the net movement of water molecules through a selectively-permeable membrane from high to low concentration of water molecules
Exchange surface - a specialised surface which enables the efficient exchange of substances
Surface area - the total area of the surface of an object
Equipment
None required.
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
Water vapour out of the leaves
Sugars and amino acids into and out of the phloem
Water into the root hair cells from the soil