2.8.2 Transport Systems in Flowering Plants

Question 1

The roots, stem and leaves form, what?

Answer 1

a plant organ system for the transport of substances around the plant

Question 2

Plants also possess two specialist transport vessels called the, what?

Answer 2

xylem and phloem

Question 3

The xylem and phloem are arranged throughout the root, stem and leaves in groups called, what?

Answer 3

vascular bundles

Question 4

Xylem vessels transport, what?

Answer 4

water and minerals (pronounced: zi-lem) from the roots to the stem and leaves

Question 5

The xylem has some key structural features, such as?

Answer 5

It is composed of dead cells which form hollow tubes

Xylem cells are strengthened by lignin and so are adapted for the transport of water in the transpiration stream

Question 6

Phloem vessels transport food materials (mainly sucrose and amino acids) made by the plant from, where?

Answer 6

photosynthesising leaves to non-photosynthesising regions in the roots and stem

• This means that movement can be in any direction around the plant

Question 7

The phloem has structural features different to the xylem, what are they?

Answer 7

The cells are living cells and are not hollow

Substances move from cell to cell through pores in the end walls of each cell

Question 8

Exam Tip

Answer 8

If you are asked to identify the xylem or phloem in a diagram showing a cross-section of a root, stem or leaf just remember that xylem is always on the inside and phloem is always on the outside