How are water and minerals transported in plants?

Question: How are water and minerals transported in plants?

Water and minerals are transported in plants through two main processes:-

Transpiration: Water is absorbed by the roots and transported up through the xylem tissue to the leaves of the plant. This process is driven by transpiration, which is the loss of water vapor from the leaves through small openings called stomata. Water molecules are attracted to each other and to the walls of the xylem vessels, forming a continuous column of water that is pulled up through the plant by the process of transpiration. The movement of water through the xylem is largely passive and does not require energy from the plant.

Active transport: Minerals are absorbed by the roots through active transport, which requires energy from the plant. The concentration of minerals is usually higher in the soil than in the plant, so the plant must use energy to actively transport these minerals against their concentration gradient from the soil into the root cells. Once inside the root cells, minerals are transported through the plant by diffusion or by being loaded into the xylem vessels for transport to the rest of the plant.

Both processes work together to transport water and minerals throughout the plant. The movement of water through the xylem driven by transpiration creates a negative pressure that helps to pull minerals up through the plant. The active transport of minerals by the roots ensures that the plant has a steady supply of essential nutrients, while the movement of water through the xylem helps to maintain turgor pressure in the plant cells, which is necessary for maintaining the structural integrity of the plant.