Review:

Three regions
Meristematic Elongation Maturation

Root Anatomy

 Root hairs and branching greatly

increase the surface through which water and dissolved minerals can be absorbed.

Functions of Roots
Absorption TODAY Anchorage Storage Conduction of water Hormone synthesis

TOMORROW

Uptake of Ions by the Roots WHAT?

Root hairs bring nitrates, phosphates, sulphates, and a variety of other essential inorganic nutrients into the plant

Why are these nutrients needed?

Uptake of Ions by the Roots HOW?

Root interception
Root grows and intercepts ions

Simple diffusion
Ions move down their concentration gradient No energy expense by plant Example: K+

Mass flow
Bulk flow of water into the root carries ions to root Delivers N, Ca, Mg, S

Active transport
Ions move against their concentration gradient Requires a specific protein pump in the cell membrane Energy expense by plant

Water Transport into the Roots

Water flows from

Epidermis Root Cortex Endodermis Xylem SOIL

via osmosis

Water Transport into the Roots

Cells are usually interconnected via plasmodesmata. Their plasma forms a continuum (a symplast).

Water Transport into the Roots

The transport of substances from cell to cell via

plasmodesmata is called symplastic

transport.

Water Transport into the Roots

Apoplastic transport is when water is transported between cells through the extra-cellular space.

Water Transport into the Roots

The endodermis functions as a last checkpoint for the passage of dissolved minerals into the vascular tissue

Water Transport into the Roots

Minerals already in the symplast when they reach the endodermis continue through the endodermis and pass into the xylem

Water Transport into the Roots

Minerals that reach the endodermis via the apoplast encounter a waxy layer on the endodermis that blocks their entry into the xylem called the Casparian strip.

Water Transport into the Roots

The only way to get through the endodermis is through the symplastic route.

Water Transport into the Roots

Water and minerals following the apoplastic route must first cross the plasma membrane of the endodermis cells and enter the symplast system.

This ensures that no minerals

can enter the vascular system

with out first being checked by the plasma membrane

Water Transport into the Roots

Once through the endodermis layer, the water and minerals are now free to enter the xylem tracheids and vessels.

The Casparian Strip blocks Uptake of water through passage of water unless it root epidermis by osmosis is moving via the symplast

Water that does not cross the Water that crosses the root hair plasma membrane hair plasma enters the root apoplast system membrane enters the symplast system

Water moves into the xylem for transport up the plant