The Acquisition of Plant Nutrients

Photosynthesis in General

Light + CO2 + H2O C6H12O6 + O2

General Plant Anatomy

• Roots support the plant and absorb water and important nutrients

• Leaves absorb the sunlight

• Stoma on the leaves open to absorb carbon dioxide gas

Root Anatomy

• A section of root contains epidermal and endodermal layers

• The endodermal layer is impregnated with a water tight casparian strip and contains the vascular cylinder (made of xylem and phloem)

Epidermal Function

• Epidermis cells increase their surface area for absorption with root hairs

• The root manipulates solute concentration so that water will move by osmosis into the vascular cylinder

Capillarity in the Xylem

• Water’s cohesive and adhesive properties allow it to move up the xylem through capillarity.

• The thinner the xylem the higher the water will rise

Transpiration and the Stoma

• When stoma open to acquire carbon dioxide, water evaporates (transpires) causing an area of low pressure so that water flows from the root where the water is at a higher pressure

CO2 & Light Acquisition

• The palisade layer contains packed columnar cells for intercepting light

• The spongy layer is open for the movement of CO2 that enters through the stomata

Photosynthesis in the Leaf

• CO2 + H2O + light O2 + C6H12O6

• Radiant Energy in Sunlight is converted into the chemical energy of Carbohydrates or Sugar

Translocation in the Phloem

• Once sugar is created, it is loaded into the phloem

• This increases the concentration of solutes causing water to move by osmosis and create pressure causing the sugar to flow