How are water and minerals transported in plants?

The vascular tissue xylem transports water and minerals in plants.

Transpiration creates a suction pressure, as a result of which water is forced into the xylem cells of the roots. Then, there is a steady movement of water from the root xylem to all the plant parts.

Mainly Plants have two transport systems to move food, water and minerals through their roots, stems and leaves.

These systems use continuous tubes called as xylem and phloem, and together they are known as vascular bundles.

Water and minerals are transported in plants through a system of tissues known as the xylem. The xylem is made up of specialized cells called tracheids and vessel elements, which are interconnected to form long tubes that extend from the roots up to the leaves and other parts of the plant.

The transport of water and minerals through the xylem is driven by transpiration, which is the loss of water from the leaves through small pores called stomata. As water evaporates from the leaves, it creates a negative pressure (or tension) that pulls water up from the roots through the xylem. This process is known as the transpiration pull.

The movement of water and minerals through the xylem is also aided by the cohesion-tension theory, which states that water molecules are attracted to each other (cohesion) and to the walls of the xylem (adhesion). This creates a continuous column of water that is pulled up from the roots to the leaves.

In addition, the roots of plants also play a role in the uptake of minerals from the soil. The roots have root hairs, which are specialized structures that increase the surface area of the roots and help them absorb water and minerals from the soil. Once inside the root, the minerals are transported through the xylem along with water.

Overall, the transport of water and minerals in plants is a crucial process for their survival and growth, as it allows them to absorb essential nutrients and maintain their structure and turgor pressure.