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Transpiration

Water uptake by plants is through the roots. The root hairs provide a large surface area for the absorption of water. In flowering plants the water is pulled up the xylem through the stem and to the leaves.Transpiration is the evaporation of water from the leaves. This pulls water up through the xylem in a continuous stream due to the cohesion of the water molecules.The evaporation of water from the leaves is a passive process. The energy is provided by the Sun.

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Specification: AQA Biology (7401), AS-level, 3.3.4.2 Mass transport in plants. Topic: Mass Transport in Plants.

Key terms in this lesson

cohesion
The attraction between molecules of the same substance, in water caused by hydrogen bonding.
xylem
Plant vascular tissue, made of dead, lignified tubular cells, that transports water and mineral ions from the roots to the leaves.
root hair cell
An epidermal cell of a root with a long extension that increases the surface area for the absorption of water and mineral ions.

More in Mass Transport in Plants

All 15 lessons in Mass Transport in Plants · All AQA AS-level Biology topics