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.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
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.
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
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.
To help you plan your year 11 biology lesson on: The importance of exchange surfaces and transport systems in plants, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 11 biology lesson on: The importance of exchange surfaces and transport systems in plants, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 4 biology lessons from the Transport and exchange surfaces in plants unit, dive into the full secondary biology curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
None required.
Licence
Lesson 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