StudyXY
RegisterLog in
Back to AI Flashcard MakerBiology /Biology IB HL - 9.1 Xylem Transport Part 2

Biology IB HL - 9.1 Xylem Transport Part 2

Biology25 CardsCreated about 1 month ago

This deck covers key concepts related to xylem transport in plants, including the structure and function of xylem, the role of adhesion, and how plants optimize water and mineral uptake.

PrintEmbedImportReport

What is adhesion?

Adhesion is the force of attraction between two particles of different substances (e.g. water molecule and xylem wall)
Tap or swipe ↕ to flip
Swipe ←→Navigate
1/25

Key Terms

Term
Definition
What is adhesion?
Adhesion is the force of attraction between two particles of different substances (e.g. water molecule and xylem wall)
What is water attracted to in the xylem (adhesion) and why?
The xylem wall is also polar (specifically lignin) and hence can form intermolecular associations with water molecules
How does adhesion help water travel up the xylem?
As water molecules move up the xylem via capillary action, they pull inward on the xylem walls to generate further tension
What is the xylem?
The xylem is a specialised structure that functions to facilitate the movement of water throughout the plant
What are 4 key structural properties of the xylem?
composed of dead cells, dead cells are hollow, cells wall contains pits, walls have thickened cellulose and are reinforced by lignin
Why is it important the xylem is composed of dead and HOLLOW cells?
It is a tube composed of dead cells that are hollow (no protoplasm) to allow for the free movement of water
Log in to view all terms

Related Flashcard Decks

Biology

A-LEVEL PE (OCR): PAPER 3 - Ethics and Deviance in Sport

These flashcards describe key performance-enhancing methods, including blood doping—a technique used to increase red blood cell count and oxygen-carrying capacity, commonly by endurance athletes—and anabolic steroids, which boost strength, aggression, and training capacity. They highlight how these methods aim to enhance performance, often through artificial physiological manipulation.

21 cards
View Deck
Biology

A-LEVEL PE (OCR): PAPER 1 - Energy for Exercise

These flashcards cover fundamental concepts of cellular energy, including ATP as the primary energy source for muscular contraction, the role of the enzyme ATPase in ATP breakdown, and the definition of exothermic reactions that release energy. They provide a concise overview of how energy is produced and utilized in biological systems.

47 cards
View Deck
Biology

3MB Psychiatry: Neurobiology of Mood

This flashcard set explains the brain’s appetitive (approach) and aversive (defensive) mood systems, describing how they drive behaviour toward reward or avoidance of threat, and identifies the key neurotransmitters associated with each—dopamine for approach and serotonin for avoidance.

8 cards
View Deck
Biology

Psychology - Chapter 3 Biological Psychology Part 3

This deck covers key concepts from Chapter 3 of Biological Psychology, focusing on brain structures and their functions, including the occipital lobe, limbic system, brain stem, and nervous systems.

23 cards
View Deck
Biology

Psychology - Chapter 3 Biological Psychology Part 2

This flashcard deck covers key concepts from Chapter 3 of Biological Psychology, focusing on neurotransmitters, brain structures, and their functions.

25 cards
View Deck
Biology

Animal Behaviour - Applied Cat Ethology

In applied cat ethology, behavioural genetics are primarily inherited through the paternal line. This means certain behavioural traits, such as temperament or sociability, can be strongly influenced by the genetics of the sire (father).

56 cards
View Deck

Study Tips

  • Press F to enter focus mode for distraction-free studying
  • Review cards regularly to improve retention
  • Try to recall the answer before flipping the card
  • Share this deck with friends to study together
Biology IB HL - 9.1 Xylem Transport Part 2
TermDefinition
What is adhesion?
Adhesion is the force of attraction between two particles of different substances (e.g. water molecule and xylem wall)
What is water attracted to in the xylem (adhesion) and why?
The xylem wall is also polar (specifically lignin) and hence can form intermolecular associations with water molecules
How does adhesion help water travel up the xylem?
As water molecules move up the xylem via capillary action, they pull inward on the xylem walls to generate further tension
What is the xylem?
The xylem is a specialised structure that functions to facilitate the movement of water throughout the plant
What are 4 key structural properties of the xylem?
composed of dead cells, dead cells are hollow, cells wall contains pits, walls have thickened cellulose and are reinforced by lignin
Why is it important the xylem is composed of dead and HOLLOW cells?
It is a tube composed of dead cells that are hollow (no protoplasm) to allow for the free movement of water
In which direction does water move during transpiration and to which structural property is this related to?
Because the cells are dead, the movement of water is an entirely passive process and occurs in one direction only
Why is it important that the xylem has pits?
The cell wall contains numerous pores (called pits), which enables water to be transferred between cells
Why is it important that the xylem has thickened cellulose walls and is reinforced by lignin?
Walls have thickened cellulose and are reinforced by lignin, so as to provide strength as water is transported under tension
What is the xylem composed of?
tracheids (all plants) | - vessel elements (angiosperms)
What are tracheids?
Tracheids are tapered cells that exchange water solely via pits,
How do tracheids affect the rate of water transport?
lead to a slower rate of water transfer (water only transported through pits)
What are vessel elements? (structure)
In vessel elements, the end walls have become fused to form a continuous tube
How do vessel elements affect the rate of water transfer?
result in a faster rate of water transfer
What are all xylem vessels reinforced by?
lignin
In what 2 ways can lignin be deposited?
in annular vessels | 2. in spiral vessels
How is lignin deposited in annular vessels?
In annular vessels, the lignin forms a pattern of circular rings at equal distances from each other
How is lignin deposited in spiral vessels?
In spiral vessels, the lignin is present in the form of a helix or coil
How do plants take up water and minerals?
Plants take up water and mineral ions from the soil via their roots
What do plants need to ensure their roots have to optimise mineral and water uptake?
maximal surface area to optimise this uptake
In what two ways (simple) do plants maximise the SA of their roots?
Some plants have a fibrous, highly branching root system. Other plants have a main tap root with lateral branches
How does a fibrous, highly branching root system help increase SA?
increases the surface area available for absorption
How does a main tap root with lateral branches help uptake water and minerals?
can penetrate the soil to access deeper reservoirs of water
How may the epidermis of roots be adapted to increase SA?
The epidermis of roots may have cellular extensions called root hairs, which further increase the surface area for absorption
Where do materials move once absorbed by the root epidermis?
Materials absorbed by the root epidermis diffuse across the cortex towards a central stele, where the xylem is located