The Importance of Water Uptake and Transport in Plants

The Importance of Water
Uptake and Transport in

Plants
by Ms Mahlaba
Root Hairs and Water Absorption
Increasing Surface Area Osmosis and Water Potential

Root hairs are unicellular epidermal outgrowths that The water potential of the soil is typically higher than the water
significantly increase the surface area of the root system, potential inside the root hair cells. This difference in water
allowing for more efficient absorption of water and minerals potential drives the process of osmosis, where water molecules
from the soil. These specialized structures play a crucial role in move from the soil, through the permeable cell wall and
the plant's water uptake process. membrane of the root hair, and into the plant's internal transport
system.
Transpiration and Water Movement
1 Evaporation from Leaves

As water is lost from the leaves through the process of transpiration, a decrease in water
potential occurs within the leaf tissues. This creates a "pull" that draws water upward from the
roots, through the stem, and into the leaves.
2 Cohesion and Adhesion

The cohesive forces between water molecules, as well as the adhesive forces between water
and the walls of the xylem vessels, play a crucial role in the upward movement of water. These
forces work together to create a continuous column of water that can be transported from the
roots to the leaves.
3 Root Pressure and Capillarity

In addition to the transpiration pull, root pressure and capillarity also contribute to the upward
movement of water in plants. Root pressure, generated by the influx of water into the roots,
helps push water upward, while capillarity draws water through the narrow xylem vessels.
Osmosis and Water Potential
Osmotic Forces Water Potential
Osmosis is the movement of water molecules from an area Water potential is a measure of the ability of a solution to
of high water potential (low solute concentration) to an area release water. It is influenced by factors such as the
of low water potential (high solute concentration) across a concentration of dissolved substances, pressure, and gravity.
selectively permeable membrane. This process is essential Understanding water potential is crucial for understanding
for the uptake and movement of water in plants. how water moves through the plant's tissues.
Uptake of water and mineral salts by the
roots:
• The water potential of the soil water is higher (contains

less dissolved substances) than then the water potential of
the cell sap in the vacuoles of the root hair
• Water molecules move by osmosis through the permeable

cell wall, through the selectively permeable cell membrane,
cytoplasm and selectively permeable tonoplast into the
vacuole of the root hair.
• The vacuole swells and the pressure within the root hair
increases. The pressure that builds up in the vacuole is
called, turgor pressure
Movement of water from the root hair to the
xylem of the root:
• The water potential in the root hair is now higher than in the adjacent parenchyma cells in the cortex of the root.
• Water moves in two ways to the xylem of the root: ➢ The main route that water takes is from cell to cell by osmosis – this is a slow
process (symplast pathway) ➢ Water can also move through the cell walls and intercellular air spaces between the cells by diffusion –
Capillarity and Root Pressure
Capillarity
Capillarity is the phenomenon where liquids, such as water, spontaneously move up narrow tubes or spaces due
to the cohesive and adhesive forces between the liquid and the tube walls. This process plays a crucial role in
the upward movement of water in the plant's xylem vessels.
Root Pressure
Root pressure is the upward force that develops in the roots due to the continuous influx of water from the soil.
This pressure helps push water up the stem, contributing to the overall movement of water from the roots to the
leaves, especially in the early stages of the growing season.
Xylem Transport
The narrow, tubular xylem vessels, with their thick, lignified cell walls, provide an efficient pathway for the
upward movement of water and dissolved minerals. The combination of capillarity and root pressure helps
maintain the continuous column of water in the xylem, facilitating the transport of essential resources
throughout the plant.
Upward movement of water from the xylem of the
root to the leaves of the plant:
• The three forces involved in the upward movement of water in a plant is: capillarity, root pressure and transpiration pull.
Transpiration pull is the main force that draws water upwards in a plant.
(Refer to the list of definitions and textbook and study the sections on capillarity and root pressure.)
• The water potential in the intercellular air spaces of the mesophyll cells decreases as water vapour is lost through the stomata of the
Transpiration and the Transpiration Pull
Evaporation from Leaves

As water is lost from the leaves through the process of transpiration, a decrease in water
potential occurs within the leaf tissues. This creates a "pull" that draws water upward from the
roots, through the stem, and into the leaves.
Diffusion into Air Spaces

Water molecules diffuse from the cell walls of the mesophyll cells into the intercellular air
spaces within the leaves. This movement is driven by the lower water potential in the air spaces
compared to the cell walls, as water vapor is lost through the stomata.
Tension in the Xylem

The transpiration-induced decrease in water potential in the leaf tissues creates a tension, or
"pull," in the xylem vessels. This tension, along with the cohesive and adhesive forces of water,
helps draw water upward from the roots to replace the water lost through transpiration.
Translocation of Nutrients and
Photosynthates
1 Phloem Transport
The phloem is the vascular tissue responsible for the translocation of organic nutrients, such as sucrose,
produced during photosynthesis in the leaves. These photosynthates are transported to other parts of the
plant, including the roots and growing regions, to support growth and development.
2 Source-Sink Relationships
The movement of photosynthates in the phloem is driven by differences in water potential and is
influenced by the source-sink relationships within the plant. The leaves, as the source of photosynthates,
and the growing regions or storage organs, as the sinks, create a dynamic system for the transport of
essential nutrients.
3 Translocation Pathways
Photosynthates and other nutrients can follow various translocation pathways in the phloem, depending
on the plant's developmental stage, environmental conditions, and the specific needs of different organs.
This flexibility allows the plant to effectively distribute resources throughout its structure.
Conclusion: The Importance of Water in
Plants
Efficient Water Uptake
The intricate mechanisms of water uptake and transport in plants, involving root hairs, osmosis, and
various physical forces, ensure that plants have a continuous supply of water and dissolved nutrients to
support their growth and development.
Translocation of Nutrients
The movement of photosynthates and other essential nutrients through the phloem, driven by differences
in water potential, allows the plant to distribute resources effectively, enabling it to thrive and adapt to
changing environmental conditions.
Maintaining Water Balance

The delicate balance between water uptake, transport, and loss through transpiration is crucial for the
plant's overall well-being. Understanding these processes helps us better appreciate the importance of
water in the life and functioning of plants.
Practical Applications
Knowledge of plant water relations has numerous practical applications, from improving agricultural
practices to developing novel strategies for water conservation and management in both natural and

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The Importance of Water

Uptake and Transport in

Increasing Surface Area Osmosis and Water Potential

1 Evaporation from Leaves

2 Cohesion and Adhesion

3 Root Pressure and Capillarity

• The water potential of the soil water is higher (contains

• Water molecules move by osmosis through the permeable

Evaporation from Leaves

Diffusion into Air Spaces

Tension in the Xylem

Maintaining Water Balance

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