tomato_plant-min

Tomato Plant. image credit wisegeek.com

ZIMSEC O Level Combined Science Notes: Plant transport and the structure of plants

  • Plants have two main organ systems: a shoot system and a root system
Tomato plant structure. Image credit uic.edu

Tomato plant structure. Image credit uic.edu

Root system

  • Is usually found beneath the ground.
  • Anchors the plant into its position.
  • Absorbs water and nutrients from the soil.
  • Acts as a conduit (pipe) for water and nutrients.
  • Stores food especially in tubers like sweet potatoes and potatoes.

Shoot system

  • Is usually found above the ground.
  • Elevates the plant above the soil.
  • Performs many functions for example photosynthesis (leaves), reproduction and dispersal (flowers and fruits) etc.
  • Acts as conduit for food and water.

Transport in plants

  • Plants need substances form the environment e.g. carbon dioxide, water and oxygen.
  • These substances cannot enter into the plant over its whole surface.
  • Water enters thought the roots and the gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide) enter and leave through the roots.
  • Water also leaves the plant via the leaves in a process called transpiration.
  • Plants therefore need a transport system to carry the water up to the leaves and the food made in the leaves during photosynthesis 
  • and the food to other parts of the plant that cannot make their own food.

To access more topics go to the Combined Science Notes page.


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