Homework Question on water molecules’ journey from soil to a tree and into leaves
- Describe how sugar from photosynthesis is transported throughout the plant. Write a 1,000- to 1,500-word paper, including the pictures requested below, describing primary and secondary growth in plants and the journey of water and sugar molecules in plants.
- Primary and Secondary Cells and Tissues in Plants The three types of plant cells are parenchyma, collenchyma, and sclerenchyma. For each, discuss the basic structure, function, the different types for parenchyma and sclerenchyma, and where in the plant they can be found. Include a picture of a cross section of a stem.Label the following structures and then describe each of the following: epidermis, cutin, cuticle, guard cells, stomata, cortex, and vascular bundles.
- What is the function of a lenticel? How are intercellular spaces important for this function? Include a picture of a stem and label the nodes, internodes, apical meristems, leaf buds, and flower buds.
- Describe growth by apical meristems. Include a picture of a cross section of secondary growth in a woody species. Label the primary xylem and phloem, secondary xylem and phloem, fascicular cambium, and interfascicular cambium. In woody species, additional tissues are produced in the stem and root by two additional meristems.
Homework Answer on water molecules’ journey from soil to a tree and into leaves
Water molecules pass through various steps from the soil to a tree and then the leaves. Water moves across membranes, along the xylem vessels. The xylem is a long conduit system.“Water molecules move from the soil to the roots along a gradient” (Mengel, 2001). Water moves through the root cortex towards the xylem vessels. “The movement from the root cortex to the xylem occurs via different pathways; the appoplast, transmembrane and symplast” (Mengel, 2001).
Water moving through the root cortex reaches the xylem lumen. The secretions of ions cause a fall in water potential in the vessel. This induces water to move into the xylem. The water solutes are rapidly moved in an axial direction towards the leaves. “Root pressure and capillary forces assist in the transport of water in the xylem”(Russell, 2008).. The forces assist to push water upwards.. Forces of adhesion and cohesion play a crucial role in moving the water upwards till it reaches the leaves.
Transportation of glucose
Sugar is transported in the plant by a process called translocation. Products of photosynthesis are dissolved and translocated throughout the whole plant. Sugar molecules move to the sieve tubes through pasmodesmata. The adjoining cells are the champion a cell which has a large vacuole hence helps to transport the glucose molecules. Transport of glucose is applosmic.Phloem vessels form system through which photosynthetic products are translocated.