Biology Notes for IGCSE 2014
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    • All Notes
    • 01 Classification
    • 02 Cells
    • 03 Enzymes
    • 04 Plant Nutrition
    • 05 Animal Nutrition
    • 06 Plant transport
    • 07 Human transport
    • 08 Respiration
    • 09 Coordination
    • 10 Excretion
    • 11 Homeostasis
    • 12 Reproduction
    • 13 Inheritance
    • 14 Ecosystem
  • Classification
    • Summary
    • Characteristics of Living organisms
    • Classification of Living organisms
    • Kingdoms of Living organisms
    • Animal Kingdom >
      • Classification
      • Phylum Vetebrates
      • Phylum Arthropods
      • Annelids, Nematodes, Molluscs
    • Plant Kingdom
    • Virus
    • Bacteria Kingdom
    • Fungi Kingdom
    • Dichotomous keys
  • Cells
    • Summary
    • Structure
    • Functions
    • Tissues, Organs, Systems
    • Diffusion
    • Osmosis
    • Active transport
  • Enzymes
    • Summary
    • Enzymes and reactions
    • 'Lock and Key' model
    • Role in germinating seeds
    • Use in biological washing powders
    • Use in the food industry
    • Use of microorganisms and fermenter to manufacture enzymes
    • Use of microorganisms to manufacture antibiotic penicillin
  • Nutrition
    • Animal >
      • Summary
      • 1 >
        • Main nutrients: carbohydrates, fats and proteins
        • Food tests >
          • Food test 1 - Starch test
          • Food test 2 - Benedict's test for Reducing Sugars
          • Food test 3 - Emulsion (ethanol) test for Fats
          • Food test 4 - Biuret test for Proteins
        • Other Nutrients: Vitamins, Minerals, Fiber and Water
        • Using yeast to make bread and beer
        • Using microorganism in making yoghurt and single cell protein
        • Food additives - uses, benefits and health hazards
        • Use of modern technology for increasing food production
      • 2 >
        • Problems of world food supplies and the causes of famine
        • Diet
        • Human alimentary canal
        • Human teeth and dental decay
        • Adding fluoride to public water supplies
        • Mechanical and chemical digestion
        • Absorption – function of the small intestine and significance of villi
        • Assimilation and role of the liver
    • Plant >
      • Summary
      • The equation for photosynthesis
      • Photosynthesis investigations - Principles and Starch test
      • Effect of Light intensity on the rate of Photosynthesis
      • Effect of Temperature on the Rate of Photosynthesis
      • Effect of Carbon Dioxide on the Rate of Photosynthesis
      • Limiting factors in photosynthesis
      • Optimum conditions for photosynthesis in Green house
      • Leaf structure
      • Plant's mineral requirements and fertilisers
  • Transport
    • Plant >
      • Summary
      • Functions of xylem and phloem
      • Distribution of Xylem and Phloem in roots, stems and leaves
      • Root hairs and water uptake by plants
      • Passage of water through root, stem and leaf
      • Transpiration in plants and factors affecting tranpiration rate
      • Adaptations of the leaf, stem and root to different environments
      • Translocation of organic foods in plants
      • Translocation of applied chemicals throughout the plant
      • Transport of materials from sources to sinks at different seasons
    • Human >
      • Summary
      • 1 >
        • The circulatory system
        • Structure and function of the heart
        • Effect of exercise on heartbeat and causes of a coronary heart disease
        • Arteries, veins and capillaries - structure and functions
        • Blood composition and Plasma
        • Blood cells - structure and functions
      • 2 >
        • Blood clotting
        • Immune system - antibody, tissue rejection
        • Functions of lymphatic system
        • Respiration
        • Aerobic and anaerobic respiration
        • Gaseous exchange
  • Respiration
    • Summary
    • Definition
    • Aerobic, anaerobic
    • Gaseous exchange
    • Inspired, expired air
    • Tobacco smoke
  • Reproduction
    • Summary
    • Types
    • Plant >
      • Pollination
      • Flower structure
      • Formation of seed
      • Seed dispersal
      • Self-pollination, cross-pollination
      • Growth and development
    • Human >
      • Reproductive system
      • Menstrual cycle
      • Fertilisation
      • Fetus development
      • Birth
      • Sex hormones
      • Birth control
      • Artificial insemination
      • HIV/AIDS
      • Gonorrhoea
      • Breast feeding
  • Coordination
    • Coordination >
      • Summary
      • Hormones, adrenaline
      • Hormones in food production
      • Human nervous system
      • Simple reflex arc
      • Effectors, biceps and triceps
      • Voluntary, involuntary actions
      • The eye, rods and cones
      • Accommodation
      • Tropism in plants
      • Auxins
    • Homeostasis >
      • Summary
      • Homeostasis
      • Blood glucose
      • Negative feedback
      • Kidney structure
      • Kidney function
      • Formation of urea
      • Dialysis
      • Drugs
  • Inheritance
    • Summary
    • Key definitions
    • Chromosomes, DNA
    • Mitosis and Meiosis
    • Monohybrid cross
    • Codominance
    • Continuous, discontinous
    • Mutation, radiation
    • Sickle cell anaemia
    • Selection
    • Antibiotic-resistance bacteria
    • Genetic engineering
  • Ecosystem
    • Summary
    • Human & ecosystem >
      • Human influences
      • Deforestation
      • Water pollution
      • Air pollution
      • Greenhouse gases
      • Pesticides, nuclear fallout
      • Conservation, recycling sewage
    • Energy flow
    • Food chain
    • Food web
    • Food pyramids
    • Energy efficiency
    • Carbon & water cycles
    • Nitrogen cycle
    • Combustion of fossil fuels
    • Population size

#62 Passage of water through root, stem and leaf

Picture
  • Water enters root hair cells by osmosis. This happens when the water potential in the soil surrounding the root is higher than in the cell à water diffuses from the soil into the root hair, down its concentration gradient.
  • As the water enters the cell, its water potential becomes higher than in the cell next to it, e.g. in the cortex. So water moves, by osmosis, into the next cell. Some of water may also just seep through the spaces between the cells, or through the cell walls, never actually entering a cell. 
Picture
  • Water vapour evaporating from a leaf crates a kind of suction, its pressure at the top of the vessels is lower than that at the bottom à water move up the stem in the xylem, more water is drawn into the leaf from the xylem. This creates a traspiration stream, pulling water up from the root. Mature xylems cells have no cell contents, so they act like open-ended tubes allowing free movement of water through them. Roots also produce a root pressure, forcing water up xylem vessels. 
  • Water moves from xylem to enter leaf tissues down water potential gradient. In the leaves, water passes out of the xylem vessels into the surrounding cells.

Common misconceptions

Water does not travel through xylem vessels by osmosis. Osmosis involves the movement of water across cell membranes – xylem cells do not have living contents when mature, so there will be no membranes.
Try this

Describe how the structure of xylem tissue is adapted to its functions.
  • The cells join together to make a long tubular structure.
  • There are no cross-wall and no living contents so the water and mineral salts can pass through freely.

Describe the mechanism of water movement through the xylem.
  • Water moves by the pull from the leaves caused by the transpiration.
  • Xylem vessels are very thin, so they act like a capillary tube helping to withdraw water upward. 

1. a) Labell all parts of the root hair cell (5 mark)

Picture
b) Which plant cell part is missing from this cell? (1 mark)

c) Name the process by which the cell absorbs:

   i)Water (1 mark)
   ii)Minerals (1 mark)

Answer:
a)
Picture
b) Chloroplast

c) i) osmosis

    ii) diffusion or active transport (or active uptake)



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