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5 (a) (i) Water enters a plant through root hair cells - Edexcel - GCSE Biology - Question 5 - 2019 - Paper 1
Question 5
5 (a) (i) Water enters a plant through root hair cells. Root hair cells have: ☐ A a small surface area and thin cell walls ☐ B a small surface area and thick cell ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:5 (a) (i) Water enters a plant through root hair cells - Edexcel - GCSE Biology - Question 5 - 2019 - Paper 1
Step 1
Water enters a plant through root hair cells. Root hair cells have:
Answer
The correct answer is C: a large surface area and thin cell walls. Root hair cells are specialized for efficient absorption of water due to their extended surface area which maximizes contact with soil moisture while their thin cell walls facilitate easy passage of water molecules.
Step 2
Explain how water in the root is transported to the leaves of the plant.
Answer
Water enters the roots through root hair cells by the process of osmosis. Once inside, it moves up through the xylem vessels, driven by the process of transpiration which creates a negative pressure that pulls water upward. The combination of osmosis and transpiration ensures that water efficiently travels from the roots to the leaves.
Step 3
How is sucrose transported from the leaves to other parts of the plant?
Answer
The correct answer is C: by translocation through the phloem. Sucrose produced in the leaves during photosynthesis is actively transported into the phloem, from where it can be distributed to other parts of the plant where it is needed.