Transportation Of Materials In Plants
All living organism need some method of moving substances from one part of the body to other parts of the body. For example, in living organisms food and oxygen are moved in the body to all the cells and waste materials such as carbon dioxide is taken away from them. The system of moving substances in different parts of body is called transport system. In plants, food and water are transported by bundles of tubes present in stem called phloem and xylem. In animals, food, water and respiratory gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide) and other substances are transported by blood.
In plants, transport system is not complicated as in animals. The transport system in plants consists of bundles of tubes in the stem, branches and roots. These tubes are called xylem and phloem. The main function of xylem is to transport water and dissolved minerals from the roots to rest of the plant body. While, the phloem transports the food manufactured in the leaves to all parts of the plant.
Now, we shall discuss transportation of materials in plants in 3 parts :
- Transportation of water
- Transportation of minerals
- Transportation of food
Test Your Understanding and Answer These Questions:
- What are main conducting tissues in plants?
- Why is transportation of materials necessary?
- What is the need of special tissues or organs for transport of substances in plants and animals?