Name: Transport of Water in Plants
Uploaded: 2019-07-19
Duration: 4 min 42 s
Description: Plants need water. The water transport system in plants is like a canal system. Explore this transport system from the root hair to the various parts of the...

Question

Discuss the factors responsible for ascent of xylem sap in plants.

Accepted Answer

The factors responsible for ascent of xylem sap in plants are as follows:

Cohesion: It is the mutual attraction between water molecules. It also causes water molecules to form drops. Cohesion together with adhesion helps to explain the occurrence of surface tension and capillarity. Plants use capillary action to draw water upwards, i.e. from the root through xylem vessels.

Adhesion: It is the attraction of water molecules to polar surfaces (such as the surface of treachery elements).

Surface tension: Water molecules are attracted to each other in the liquid phase more than to water in the gas phase.

Root pressure: It is the positive pressure which pushes sap from below due to the active absorption by roots.

Transpiration pull: Transpiration in aerial parts brings the xylem sap under negative pressure or tension due to their continuous withdrawal of water.

Discuss the factors responsible for ascent of xylem sap in plants.

Important Questions on Transport in Plants

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