Compare transport of water and sugar in the plant vasculature (see Figure 36.17). Which statement is true?
1. | sugar is transported by bulk flow, whereas water is transported by osmosis |
2. | water and sugar are transported in the same vessels |
3. | water is transported by negative pressure and sugar is transported by positive pressure |
4. | water is only transported up the plant, while sugar is transported in any direction |
Statement 3 is correct as water is passively transported into the roots and then into the xylem. The forces of cohesion and adhesion cause the water molecules to form a column in the xylem. Water moves from the xylem into the mesophyll cells, evaporates from their surfaces and leaves the plant by diffusion through the stomata.
Sugar is transported actively. Pressure-flow theory states that the sucrose produced is moved by active transport into the cells of phloem in leaf veins.
Get Answers For Free
Most questions answered within 1 hours.