This lesson is only available to users who have subscribed to the Biology course. Please log in, or click here if you would like to gain access to the full course.
Introduction to the lesson
The transport system of plants is very different from the transport system of mammals. While the purpose of the mammalian transport system is mainly to transport oxygen around the body, the plant transport system is designed to transport water and mineral ions around the plant--between leaves, stems and roots. The xylem and the phloem are the two tissues essential in the transport system of plants. Make sure you understand these well and can differentiate between them in terms of structure and function.
Reading
Read the section “Does gold grow on trees?” in the purple box on p.127 of the text book.
Thinking it through
- How do you respond to the information in this article?
- Do you think trees growing over the South African gold fields have absorbed gold?
- Why would it be cost-effective to sample eucalyptus trees rather than exploration digging?
The transport needs of plants
Read the section "The transport needs of plants" on p.127-128 in your text book.
Learning activity 1
- List three reasons why plants need a transport system.
- Why does a plant need carbon dioxide?
- Describe how a plant obtains carbon dioxide.
- Why does a plant need oxygen?
- Describe how a plant obtains oxygen.
- Name four substances that the plant transport system transports.
Two systems: xylem and phloem
Read the section "Two systems: xylem and phloem" on p.128 in your text book.
Learning activity 2
Plants have two transport systems.
- Name the two transport systems in plants.
- Describe the differences in the two transport systems.
- Describe the differences between transport in plants and transport in mammals.
Definitions and review
Definitions
- Xylem
- Phloem
Mindmap
Start a new mindmap for chapter seven and add this section to it.