Question : Howare waterand mineralstransported in plants ?

1.	Question : Howare waterand mineralstransported in plants ?
Answer» Solution :In plants, water and mineralsare transportedthrough xylem. The xylem vesselsand tracheidsareinterconnected throughoutroots,stem and leaves to form continuous water conducting channels. There are three factors/forces that help in TRANSPORTATION : (i)Root Pressure - The root hair, in contact with soil, take up water and minerals. This creates a concentration gradientinsidethe rootand OUTSIDE. Thus more water MOVES in, CREATING pressureinside the roots, known as rootpressure. Thisinducessteady movementof WATERINTO rootxylem. (ii)Transpirational Pull- Theleaves, on top,are continuously losing water, due to transpiration.This process resultsin upward pull of water and minerals, fromroots to leaves,due to suction pull. Thus transpiration is a major force during the day. (iii)Cohesion - Adhesion- Strong force of attraction between two watermolecules (cohesion) and between water and xylem (adhesion) results in a continuous column of water which is pushed inwards dueto root pressure and upward due to transpiration pull.

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