C
CraftExam
medium importancemedium difficulty4 min

Transportation in plants

Transportation in plants is the movement of water, minerals, and food through xylem and phloem.

In one line: Xylem lifts water; phloem shares food.

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Understand it

Roots absorb water and minerals from the soil. Xylem carries water upward, while phloem carries prepared food from leaves to other parts. Transport in plants is slower than in animals, but it is essential for growth and survival.

Example

Water absorbed by roots moves to leaves, and sugar made in leaves moves to roots and fruits.

Rule to remember

Rule: Xylem mainly carries water and minerals; phloem mainly carries food made in leaves.

See it worked out

Follow the example line by line, then use the same method on new questions.

Worked example

If a plant is placed in coloured water, the colour rises through the stem because xylem carries water upward.

Method you can reuse

  1. 1Identify the substance.
  2. 2Choose xylem or phloem.
  3. 3State the direction.
  4. 4Relate it to roots and leaves.
  5. 5Add an observation example.

Sketch it in your answer

Label roots, stem, and leaves; show xylem and phloem with arrows for upward water movement and food movement to other parts.

Check yourself

Answer the question in your head before opening the answer.

Try it yourself

What does xylem transport in a plant?

Think first, then show answer
Xylem transports water and dissolved minerals from the roots to the rest of the plant, especially upward toward the leaves.

Common wrong answer

Phloem carries water upward.

Why it loses marks: Xylem carries water, while phloem carries food.

Don't mix this up

Students confuse xylem with phloem or think both carry the same substance.

Exam tip

Remember xylem for water and phloem for food.

Write it in the exam

Each point is worth about one mark. Write point 1 for a 1-mark question and keep adding points as the marks go up.

How CBSE asks it

Differentiate xylem and phloem, explain movement of water in plants, or describe the role of transport tissues.
  1. 1

    Enough for 1 mark

    Transportation in plants is the movement of water, minerals, and food through xylem and phloem.

  2. 2

    Add for 2 marks

    Example: Water absorbed by roots moves to leaves, and sugar made in leaves moves to roots and fruits.

  3. 3

    Add for 3 marks

    Roots absorb water and minerals from the soil.

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