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B6 Transport Systems

The document summarizes transport systems in plants and animals. In plants, xylem transports water and minerals from the roots to the leaves, while phloem transports glucose. Transpiration occurs through evaporation from leaves and is affected by various environmental factors. In animals, the blood transports oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients, and waste. Red blood cells carry oxygen through hemoglobin while white blood cells protect against pathogens. Arteries carry blood away from the heart, capillaries allow for gas and nutrient exchange, and veins return blood to the heart. Heart disease occurs when arteries become blocked by cholesterol buildup.

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51 views2 pages

B6 Transport Systems

The document summarizes transport systems in plants and animals. In plants, xylem transports water and minerals from the roots to the leaves, while phloem transports glucose. Transpiration occurs through evaporation from leaves and is affected by various environmental factors. In animals, the blood transports oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients, and waste. Red blood cells carry oxygen through hemoglobin while white blood cells protect against pathogens. Arteries carry blood away from the heart, capillaries allow for gas and nutrient exchange, and veins return blood to the heart. Heart disease occurs when arteries become blocked by cholesterol buildup.

Uploaded by

Misentai
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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B6 Transport Systems

Plants
Plants are capable of taking up water and inorganic ions through the root hairs of a plant which is eventually taken by the xylem vessels present which transport the water and inorganic ions throughout the plant and the veins carry it to the leaves . This is possible because water passes through to the root by osmosis, whereas the mineral passes through by active transport. The xylem is strengthened by lignin ands act as the support for plants. Meanwhile, the phloem tubes carry glucose from the leaves, up and down the plants for use. Both of these are formed by cambium cells.

Transpiration
Transpiration refers to the evaporation of water vapor from the leaves of the plant. The rate changes according to changes in the water potential gradient. This is possible because of the water potential gradient and the pressure gradient which forces the water up the transpiration stream in an upward pull effect. It is vital because: The transpiration stream carries water and minerals from the soil to the leaves. Water is needed to keep plant cells turgid to support the plant. Evaporation of water from the leaves keeps the plant cool. However, various factors may affect the rate of transpiration and thus the rate of water uptake by a plant. Factors that could cause the speed of transpiration to slow down include: High humidity surrounding air is moist so evaporation rate is slower Low temperature less energy is available to lift water molecules away from surface Dull day less energy is present and less water is needed for photosynthesis Low supply of water less water can be lost Factors that could cause the speed of transpiration to speed up include: High wind/exposure turbulence around leaves can lift the water molecules away High temperature lot of energy available to lift particles away When there is more light more energy is present and more water is needed for photosynthesis Large supply of water more water can be lost

Animals
Blood is really a liquid called plasma, with red cells, white cells, and platelets floating in it. It is a transport system which carries oxygen, carbon dioxide, hormones, glucose, as well as urea. Red blood cells carry oxygen in the body. As red blood cells passes through the lungs oxygen is diffused into the cell and is carried by the haemoglobin, forming a new chemical called oxyhaemoglobin. The red blood cells then carry this around the body, when it reaches an area low on oxygen oxyhaemoglobin breaks down and releases oxygen to the body cells. Its adapted to this because its domed shape which has a higher surface area and has no nucleus allowing more space for oxygen. White blood cells on the other hand protect animals from disease and infections. White cells called phagocytes can eat up the germs that cause disease by squeezing through capillary walls and moving towards germs and then digesting them. Lymphocytes produce antibodies to destroy pathogen, there is a different antibody for every germ. Platelets are fragments of cells formed in bone marrow. Their job is to stop bleeding from cuts. Bleeding washes out dirt and germs from the cut, then the platelet produces tiny fibres

which clot the red blood cells forming a blood clot. The clot then hardens to form a scab which keeps the wound clean until new skin forms. Plasma is a yellow liquid and consists of primarily water, carrying digested food, hormones, and wastes in it.

Arteries
They carry blood away from the heart. They have thicker walls and elastic fibres and muscles as the wall in order to be able to contain the high pressure so that they do not burst. Elastic walls are more able to expand to the pulse. The aorta is the largest artery in the body.

Capillaries
Small blood vessels which carry blood from arteries to veins. They are very small which allows them to reach the whole body, and only one cell thick so liquid (tissue fluid) from the blood can pass through them easily.

Veins
The blood vessels that carry blood to the heart. They have thinner walls because the pressure is low here. They also make use of valves to stop blood from flowing into the wrong direction. Vena cava is the largest vein in the body. Coronary arteries/veins The blood vessels which supply blood to the heart muscles itself. Valve tendons The strings which hold the valve flaps in place.

Heart Disease
Heart diseases occur usually when arteries get blocked because of cholesterol which causes the arteries to become narrower. Cholesterol can also make artery walls rough which cause blood to clot as it flows past and may block an artery completely. This can lead to a complete blockage, or thrombosis, and the blood flow is lost causing an area to be without blood. A thrombosis in blood vessels in the brain is called a stroke, which causes brain cells to die. This may occur more easily if: Unhealthy food consumption Lots of stress Little exercise If you smoked

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