11

Transport in Plants
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Q. 1 Which of the following statements does not apply to reverse osmosis?
(a) It is used for water purification
(b) In this technique, pressure greater than osmotic pressure is applied to the system
(c) It is a passive process
(d) It is an active process
K Thinking Process
Osmosis is special type of diffusion of water molecules across a semipermeable
membrane from a region of higher concentration to that of a lower concentration . The
net direction and rate of osmosis depends on pressure and concentration gradient.
Ans. (d) Reverse osmosis is not an active process. A process (in organisms) is considered
active when its completion requres energy in from of ATP. And as reverse osmosis
dose not consume ATP, it is a passive process, though external pressure is applied in
order to carry out osmosis in a reverse direction (lower to higher).
Rest of the options are ture for reverse osmosis.

Q. 2 Which one of the following will not directly affect transpiration?

(a) Temperature (b) Light
(c) Wind speed (d) Chlorophyll content of leaves
Ans. (d) Chlorophyll content will not affect the rate of transpiration.
Options (a), (b) and (c) all affect the rate of transpiration.
(a) Temperature increass the rate of transpiration.
(b) Light quality and intensity also affect the rate of this phenomenon.
(c) Wind speed higher the wind speed, more will be the rate of transpiration.

Q. 3 The lower surface of leaf will have more number of stomata in a

(a) dorsiventral leaf (b) isobilateral leaf
(c) Both (a) and (b) (d) None of these
Ans. (a) In dorsiventral leaf, the number of stomata will be more on lower surface. This feature
enhances gas exchange between leaf surface and the atmosphere for the processes
of photosynthesis and respiration.
Whereas in isobilateral leaf, stomata are uniformly distributed on both the surfaces.

Q. 4 The form of sugar transported through phloem is

(a) glucose (b) fructose (c) sucrose (d) ribose
K Thinking Process
Glucose is the first product of photosynthesis in plant and also is the source of energy for
every cell. Plants cannot transport it to the other cell as such because it is an reactive
molecule.
Ans. (c) Sucrose a disaccharide sugar is transported through phloem. It comprises of 2 units
of glucose joined by α-1-4 linkage. It is the most inactive form of sugar so used in the
transport of food.
Glucose because of presence of CHO group is reactive sugar.
Fructose is founds in fruits and ribose is present in nucleic acids.

Q. 5 The process of guttation takes place

(a) when the root pressure is high and the rate of transpiration is low.
(b) when the root pressure is low and the rate of transpiration is high.
(c) when the root pressure equals the rate of transpiration.
(d) when the root pressure as well as rate of transpiration are high.
Ans. (a) Guttation occurs when root pressure is high and rate of transpiration is low and there
is high humidity in the air.
The other given conditions do not fovour guttation.

Q. 6 Which of the following is an example of imbibition?

(a) Uptake of water by root hair (b) Exchange of gases in stomata
(c) Swelling of seed when put in soil (d) Opening of stomata
K Thinking Process
Imbibition is a physical phenomenon. Water is absorbed by the surface of seed and
other biological materials.
Ans. (c) Swelling of seed in soil is an example of imbibition. Imbibition is a type of diffusion
process along the concentration gradient enabling the solid to absorb water and
increase in volume. When seed is put in the soil it absorbs water which activate
enzymes present in seed and this induces the seed germination.
The other options, i.e., uptake of water by root hair is an example of absorption,
exchange in of gases stamata is an example of diffusion and opening of stomata is an
example of turgor pressure or turgidily.

Q. 7 When a plant undergoes senescence, the nutrients may be

(a) accumulated (b) bound to cell wall
(c) translocated (d) None of these
Ans. (c) Senescence is the programmed death of a plant. Translocation of nutrients to different
parts of the plant are withdrawn at the time of senescence.
Q. 8 Water potential of pure water at standard temperature is equal to
(a) 10 (b) 20 (c) zero (d) None of these
Ans.(c) Water potential of pure water at standard temperature is zero. It is the highest value of
water potential.

Q. 9 Choose the correct option mycorrhiza is a symbiotic association of fungus

with root system which helps in
A. absorption of water B. mineral nutrition
C. translocation D. gaseous exchange
Codes
(a) Only A (b) Only B (c) Both A and B (d) Both B and C
K Thinking Process
Symbiosis is a phenomenon in which two organisms are associated with each other in
such a way that both of them derive benefit from each other.
Ans. (c) Mycorrhiza associated with roots of plants helps in both absorption of water and
minerals from the soil. The other options are incorrect.

Q. 10 Based on the figure given below which of the following statements is

not correct?
A B
Solute
molecule

Water

Semipermeable
membrane

(a) Movement of solvent molecules will take place from chamber A to B

(b) Movement of solute will take place from A to B
(c) Presence of a semipermeable is a pre-requisite for this process to occur
(d) The direction and rate of osmosis depends on both the pressure gradient and
concentration gradient
Ans. (b) Movement of water will take place from chamber A to B. It is not the solute which will
move from chamber A to B. The is because osmosis is a process in which solvent
molecules moves from a region of higher concentration to a region of lower
concentration through a semi-permeable membrane.

Q. 11 Match the followings and choose the correct option.

Column I Column II
A. Leaves (i) Anti-transpirant
B. Seed (ii) Transpiration
C. Roots (iii) Negative osmotic potential
D. Aspirin (iv) Imbibition
E. Plasmolysed cell (v) Absorption

Codes
(a) A-ii, B-iv, C-v, D-i,E-iii (b) A-iii, B-ii, C-iv, D-i, E-v
(c) A-i, B-ii, C-iii, D-iv, E-v (d) A-v, B-iv, C-iii, D-ii, E-i
Ans. (a) The correct matched sequence of the two columns is as follows.
Leaves – Transpiration
Seed – Imbibition
Roots – Absorption
Aspirin – Anti-transpirant
Plasmolysed cell – Negative osmotic potential

Q. 12 Mark the mismatched pair.

A. Amyloplast (i) Store protein granule
B. Elaioplast (ii) Store oils or fats
C. Chloroplasts (iii) Contain chlorophyll pigments
D. Chromoplasts (iv) Contain coloured pigments other than chlorophyll

K Thinking Process
Plants have plastids as an cell organelles. They are of three types chromoplasts,
chloroplasts and leucoplasts (amyloplast) .
Ans. (a) Amyloplasts are the colourless plastids which store starch but not the protein
granules. Other pairs are correctly matched.

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Q. 1 Smaller, lipid soluble molecules diffuse faster through cell membrane, but
the movement of hydrophilic substances are facilitated by certain
transporters which are chemically ......... .
K Thinking Process
The movement of substances across the limiting membrane in a living cell is a highly
specific and regulated phenomenon. This regulation is done mainly by membrane
proteins.
Ans. Proteins.
Carrier protein
A

A
B

A
B

Membrane

The movement of hydrophilic substances are facilitated by transporters which are

chemically proteins. These proteins form porins, which are huge pores in the outer
membranes of the plastids, mitochondria and some bacteria. These porins allow the small
molecules to pass through the membrane.
Q. 2 In a passive transport across a membrane. When two protein molecules
move in opposite direction and independent of each other, it is called as
......... .

I A Uniport

II A Antiport
B

A
III Symport
B

Ans. Antiport This process facilitates transport of molecules in both the directions across the
membrane and their movement is independent of each other.

Q. 3 Osmosis is a special kind of diffusion, in which water diffuses across the

cell membrane. The rate and direction of osmosis depends upon both
......... .
K Thinking Process
Osmosis is an important biological phenomenon in the living world. It is governed by
number of factors.
Ans. The rate and direction of osmosis depends upon both the pressure gradient and
concentration gradient.

Q. 4 A flowering plant is planted in an earthen pot and irrigated. Urea is added

to make the plant grow faster, but after sometime the plant dies. This may
be due to ......... .
Ans. The plant dies due to exosmosis. As the solution outside the plant is an hypertonic
solution, and the plant celsl are hypotonic in nature, so there is a gradual movement of
water from plant cell to outside urea solution leading to plasmolysis of root cells and plant
dies gradually.

Q. 5 Absorption of water from soil by dry seeds increases the ......... , thus
helping seedlings to come out of soil.
K Thinking Process
Seeds usually have colloid substances which absorb and adsorb lot of water when it is
available to them and show significant swelling and increase in size.
Ans. Due to imbibition of water by seed materials (starch and protein), pushes the seedlings out
of the soil, thus the seed swells and imbibition pressure increases inside the seed, which
contributing for germination of seeds.
Q. 6 Water moves up against gravity and even for a tree of 20 m height, the tip
receives water within two hours. The most important physiological
phenomenon which is responsible for the upward movement of water is
......... .
Ans. Transpiration pull is the physiological phenomenon which is responsible for the upward
movement of water in trees of height up to 20m. As the water molecules transpire from
stomata, it pulls water molecules up ward to the leaf from the continuous chain of water
molecules carried by xylem.
This transpiration from leaf creates a pressure gradient between the atmosphere and
sub-stomatal cavity and intercellular spaces of leaf. This gradient is transferred to
photosynthetic cells and then on to xylem of leaf vein.
It results in a force called ‘‘transpirational pull’’ that can lift water upto 130m high, through a
xylem column.

Q. 7 The plant cell cytoplasm is surrounded by both cell wall and cell
membrane. The specificity of transport of substances are mostly across the
cell membrane, because ......... .
Ans. The transport takes place by the cell membrane because cell membrane is
semi-permeable and composed of lipids that are arranged in bilayer structure along with
proteins and carbohydrate.
The lipid soluble molecules pass readily across lipid bilayer of cell membrane whereas
movement of other molecules of small size is facilitated by porins, pores made up of
proteins. While cell wall does not helps in transport of substances because it.
Cell wall is basically a non-living rigid structure forming outer covering over plasma
membrane and it provides shape, mechanical strength and protection to the plant cell from
damages and infection.

Q. 8 The C 4 plants are twice as efficient as C 3 plants in terms of fixing CO2 but
lose only …… as much water C 3 plants for the same amount of CO2 fixed.
Ans. Half, The evolution of the C 4 or plants photosynthetic system is probably one of the
strategies for maximising the ability of CO 2 while minimising water loss. C 4 plants are twice
as efficient as C 3 plants in terms of fixing carbon in the form of glucose, but lose only half
as much water as a C 3 plant for the same amount of C 2 fixed.

Q. 9 Movement of substances in xylem is unidirectional while in phloem it is

bidirectional. Explain
K Thinking Process
Xylem and phloem are complex permanent tissues found in vascular plants
(gymnosperms and angiosperms) .
Ans. Xylem is involved in the one way transport of water and minerals from soil to root → stem
→ leaves. Several forces act in this mechanism like imbibition, root pressure and finally
transpiration pull. There is continuous loss of water at the body surface of plants. Thus, it is
a unidirectional process.
Phloem’s main function is to transport food from source to sink where source implies with
the part of plant responsible for synthesising food and sink to those parts and organs that
needs or consumes food for their growth and development. These source and sink parts of
a plants may vary in different phases of its growth, thus the food need to travel in both
upwards and downward direction. So, phloem shows bidirectional movement of
substances.
Q. 10 Indentify the process occurring in I, II and III

A I

A II
B

A
III
B

K Thinking Process
Facilitated diffusion involves special proteins that help in moving substances across
membranes without the expenditure of energy, i.e., ATP.
Ans. I. Uniport In this process, there is movement of a molecule across a membrane,
i.e., of other molecules.
II. Antiport In this process, there is a movement of two types of molecules in opposite
direction.
III. Symport In this process, there is a movement of more than one molecule across the
membrane in the same direction, at one time.

Q. 11 Given below is a table. Fill in the gaps.

Property Simple Facilitated Active
Diffusion Transport Transport
Highly selective No Yes —
Uphill transport — — Yes
Requires ATP — — —
Ans.
Property Simple Facilitated Active
Diffusion Transport Transport
Highly selective No Yes Yes
Uphill transport No No Yes
Requires ATP No No Yes
Active Transport It uses energy to pump molecules against a concentration gradient.
Hence, different proteins in the membrane play a major role in active transport.
Carrier protein involved in active transport is very specific in what it carries across the
membrane.
Facilitated Transport In facilitated transport special proteins help in movement of
substances across the membrane without the expenditure of ATP. Facilitated transport is
very specific as it allows cell to select substances for uptake.
Simple Diffusion It is a physical phenomenon which involves the movement of water from
higher concentration to lower concentration. It is not a selective process and do not require
energy.
Q. 12 Define water potential and solute potential.
Ans. Water potential is a measure of free energy associated with water per unit volume (JM−3 ).
The water potential of pure water (ψw ) at atmospheric pressure is zero. The unit of water
potential is bars or Pascal (1 mPa = 10 bars).
Solute Potential The addition of solutes reduce water potential (to a negative value). This
reduces the concentration of water. Hence, solutions have a lower water potential than pure
water, the magnitude of this lowering due to dissolution of a solute is called solute potential
or ψs .

Q. 13 Why is solute potential always negative? Explain ψ w = ψ s + ψ p .

Ans. If some solute is dissolved in pure water, solution has fewer free water molecules and the
concentration of water decreases, reducing its water potential.
Hence, all the solutions have a lower water potential than pure water. The magnitude of this
lowering is due to dissolution of solute is called solute potential or ψ s. ψ s is always negative.
The more the solute molecules, the lower (more negative) is the solute potential ψ s water
potential of a cell is affected by both solute and pressure potential.
The relationship can be illustrated as
ψw = ψ s + ψp
Where, ψw = water potential,
ψ s = solute potential,
ψp = pressure potential.

Q. 14 An onion peel was taken and

(a) placed in salt solution for five minutes.
(b) after that it was placed in distilled water.
When seen under the microscope what would be observed in (a) and (b)?
K Thinking Process
Onion is a modified stem which is called bulb. The leaves become thick, flashy, scaly and
store food materials. The epidermis in them is very thin and good object to study the
water related experiments.
Ans. (a) Onion peel when placed in salt solution, shrinks as water from cells cytoplasm moves
out of the cell i.e., hypertonic solution.
(b) When it is placed again back in distilled water, cell regains it’s shape and absorbs water
and become turgid (full of water) i.e., hypertonic solution.

Q. 15 Differentiate between apoplast and symplast pathways of water

movement. Which of these would need active transport?
Ans. Difference between apoplast pathway and symplast pathway is as follows
Apoplast Pathway Symplast Pathway
It consists of the non-living parts of It consist of living parts of plant body,
plant body, i.e., cell walls and inter i.e., protoplast connceted by the
cellular spaces. plasmodesmata.
There is a little resistance in the Some resistance occurs in the
movement of water in apoplastic movement of water through symplast.
pathway.
It is a faster process. It is a slightly slower process.
Q. 16 How does most of the water moves within the root?
K Thinking Process
The responsibility of absorption of water and minerals is more specifically the function of
the root hairs that are present in millions in the root hair zone.
Ans. Most of the water flow in the root occur via the apoplast pathway since, the cortical cells are
loosly packed and hence offer no resistance to water movement, which is through mass
flow. This mass flow of water occurs due to adhesive and cohesive properties of water.
However, symplast pathway is also involved in the movement of water molecules within the
root (i.e., via endodermis to xylem).

Q. 17 Give the location of casparian strip and explain its role in the water
movement.
Ans. Casparian strip is found in the endodermis. The walls of this layer are impervious to water
because of the presence of suberin. So, it does not allow movement of water across the
endodermis, rather is forced to enter the symplast pathway through cell membranes and
reaches the xylem.
Transverse wall Radial
longitudinal
wall

B Passage cell
Casparian strip

Protoxylem
A
C
Casparian strips and passage cells in the endodermis
A. Endodermal cell to shown casparian strip
B. and C. Endodermal cells in TS P=Passage cell

Endodermis Xylem

Symplastic
path

Casparian Phloem
Apoplastic path Cortex strip
Pericycle
Symplastic and apoplastic pathways of water and ion
absorption and movement in roots
Q. 18 Differentiate between guttation and transpiration.
Ans. Difference between guttation and transpiration is as follows

Guttation Transpiration
Guttation is the loss of liquid droplets It is the loss of water by a plant in the
from the plants. form of vapours.
Guttated water is a dilute solution of Transpired water is a pure water.
both inorganic and organic
substances.
Guttation occurs at the margins and Transpiration occurs through the
the tips of the leaves. general surface of the leaves and the
young stem.
Excessive guttation does not cause loss Excessive transpiration results in wilting
of turgidity. in severe cases, could be lethal to plant.

Q. 19 Transpiration is a necessary evil in plants. Explain

K Thinking Process
Loss of water in the form of water vapours from the surface of leaves of plant is called
transpiration.
Ans. Transpiration a Necessary Evil
The plant continuously lose water in the vapour form from its body surfaces. It creates a
transpiration pull to absorb more and more water from soil through roots.
If the plant does not get water in soil, even then loss through transpiration is not stopped, so
plant shows wilting sometimes it leads to the physiological wilting (non-recoverable) and
plant dies. So, the transpiration is necessary evil.

Q. 20 Describe briefly the three physical properties of water which helps in

ascent of water in xylem.
K Thinking Process
Water is a chemical substance which has chemical formula H2O. Two hydrogen atoms
attach to O2 with covalent bonds.
Ans. The three physical properties of water that helps in ascent up to xylem are as given
Cohesive properties Mutal attraction between molecules
Adhesive properties Attraction of water molecules to polar
surfaces (of tracheids)
Surface tension Water molecules get attracted to each other
more in liquid phase than in gas phase.

Q. 21 A gardener forgot to water a potted plant for a day during summer, what
will happen to the plant? Do you think it is reversible? If yes, how?
K Thinking Process
No living being (plant or animal) can survive without water.
Ans. If gardener forgets to water the plants, it will start it wilting (a physiological state of plant in
which plant leaves droop down). If watered in time, the plant may recover and become
normal.
But in second condition, if watering is delayed, the plant will not recover as if it reaches at
physiological wilting stage, it will not recover and dies.
Q. 22 Identify a type of molecular movement which is highly selective and
requires special membrane proteins, but does not require energy.

Transport protein

Transported
molecule

Outer side Outer side

of cell of cell Inner side of cell

Membrane Membrane

Ans. Facilitated diffusion’s is the mechanism which is highly selective passive process. In
facilitated diffusion special proteins help in movement of substances across the
membrane without expenditure of ATP energy because facilitated diffusion cause net
transport of molecules from a low to high concentration and this would not require input of
energy.

Q. 23 Correct the statements.

(a) Cells shrink in hypotonic solutions and swell in hypertonic solutions.
(b) Imbibition is a special type of diffusion when water is absorbed by
living cells.
(c) Most of the water flow in the roots occurs via the symplast.
Ans. (a) The cell swell in hypotonic solution and shrink in hypertonic solution.
(b) Imbibition is a special type of diffusion when water is adsorbed by living cells.
(c) Most of the water flow in roots occurs via the apoplast way.

Short Answer Type Questions

Q. 1 Minerals absorbed by the roots travel up the xylem. How do they reach the
parts where they are needed most? Do all the parts of the plant get the
same amount of the minerals?
Ans. The minerals absorbed are transported up the stem, to all parts of plant through the
transpiration stream. The chief sinks for the mineral elements are the growing region of
the plant, such as the apical and lateral meristems, young leaves, developing flowers,
fruits, seeds and the storage organs.
Unloading of the mineral ions occurs via fine vein endings through diffusion and active
uptake by the cells. In plants, xylem are involved in transport of inorganic nutrients where
phloem transport only organic materials.
 Mineral ions are frequently remobilised from older parts of plant like leaves to the younger
regions. Elements most readily mobilisal are phosphorus, sulphur, nitrogen, potassium,
and some elements that forms the structurel component are not remobilised e.g., calcium.

Q. 2 If one wants to find minerals and in the form they are mobilised in the
plant, how will an analysis of the exudate help?
Ans. The plant exudate (plant sap) is a mixture of the organic/inorganic compounds and ions,
minerals, sugars and amino acids. If we chemically analyse these we can get to know
which mineral nutrient is transported in which form in the plants. e.g., nitrogen is absorbed
and transported a is NO 2 and NO 3 and sulphur in sulphate ion forms etc.

Q. 3 From your knowledge of physiology can you think of some method of

increasing the life of cut plants in a vase?
Ans. The life of cut plant in a vase can be increased by placing them in water immediately as air
will rapidly move into the water conducting tissue and plug the cell. Also, providi nutrients
and elements in a varied concentration can increase the life span of plants.
One phytohormone called cytokine can also be sprayed or plants can be dipped in the
solution, as it delays the senescence of plant.

Q. 4 Do different species of plant a growing in the same area show the same
rate of transpiration at a particular time? Justify your answer.
Ans. The rate of transpiration depends on number of factors. If the two species are related and
have similar morphology then only external factors will determine the rate of transpiration
like wind velocity, humidity temperature, light intensity etc.

Q. 5 Water is indispensable for life. What properties of water make it useful for
all biological processes on the earth?
K Thinking Process
Water is indispensable for life. No life on earth is possible without water. It is required by
all organisms in performing vital functions, in plants water is required for the
manifestation of its various vital activities.
Ans. Properties of water that make it useful for all biological processes on the earth are
(i) Water is the major solvent through which mineral nutrients enter a plant from the soil
solution.
(ii) It is an ideal solvent with neutral pH.
(iii) Water is the major constituent of protoplasm. It constitute approximately 90% of the
protoplasm.
(iv) Water act as a medium for translocation of nutritive substances. Mineral nutrients are
absorbed by the roots. Carbohydrates that are formed during photosynthesis are
transported by water from cell to cell, tissue to tissue and organ to organ.
(v) In plants, water is involved in photosynthesis by incorporating hydrogen atom into
carbohydrate and oxygen atoms are further released as O 2 .
(vi) Water act as agent for temperature control. The specific heat of water helps plant in
aintaining a relative stable internal temperature.
(vii) In some plants water is necessary for pollination. Like in bryophytes and pteridophytes,
they essentially require water for the fertilisation process.
Q. 6 How is it that the intracellular levels of K + are higher than extracellular
levels in animal cells?
K Thinking Process
The excitability of sensory cells, neurons and muscles depends on ion channels, signal
transducers that provide a regulated path for the movement of inorganic ions such as
Na+, K +, Ca2+, and Cl -- across the plasma membrane in response to various stimuli.

Ans. Ion channels are ‘gated’, i.e., they may be open or closed. The Na + , K + , ATPase create a
charge imbalance across the plasma membrane by carrying 3Na + out of the cell for
every 2K + ion carried inside making the inside negative relative to outside.
The membrane is said to be polarised. That is the reason the intracellular levels of K+ are
higher than extracellular levels in animals cells.

+ + + + + +

Plasma
membrane – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
– –
– –
ATP ADP
– + –
– Pi –
2K+
–
[Na+] High Low
– –
–
[K+] Low High
–
– –
[Ca2] High Low
–
–
[Cl–] High Low
– –
– – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Showing ion balance in animal cell

Q. 7 Cut pieces of beetroot do not leave the colour in cold water but do so in
hot water. Explain.
Ans. Cut pieces of beetroot do not leave colour in cold water but do so in hot water because
pigment of beetroot dissolve and diffuse readily in hot water as hot temperature help in
leaking of the plasma membrane and release of beetroot pigment.
Q. 8 In a girdled plant, when water is supplied to the leaves above the girdle,
leaves may remain green for sometime then wilt and ultimately die. What
does it indicate?
Ans. In a girdled plant, when water is supplied to the leaves above the girdle, leaves may remain
green for sometime because leaves can synthesise their own carbohydrate food through
photosynthesis, then wilt due to non-availability of water.
The system of xylem vessels from root to the leaf vein can supply the needed water, during
girdling there is a possible loss of xylem vessels and the water supply cuts off, resulting in
death of plant.

Q. 9 Various types of transport mechanisms are needed to fulfil the mineral

requirements of a plant. Why are they not fulfilled by diffusion alone?
Ans. Various types of ions, minerals and organic compound are transported in plants in various
modes, e.g.,
(i) Food substances synthesised in leaves are translocated downward towards root and
stem.
(ii) Similarly food is translocated upwards to the developing leaves, buds and fruits.
(iii) Radial transport of food occurs across the stem from the cells of pith, from cortex etc,
towards epidermis.
(iv) Ions and minerals are transported upwards through xylem.
Since, diffusion is a slow process and allows movement of molecules for short distances
only, it cannot filled and alone carry out the above mentioned movements of organic and
inorganic substances. Therefore, a need arises for special long distance transport systems
that permits and move substances at a much faster rate, i.e., mass or bulk flow system
through conducting tissues (translocation).

Q. 10 How can plants be grown under limited water supply without

compromising on metabolic activities?
Ans. Under conditions of limited water supply, plants reduce the loss of water through
transpiration by shutting down stomata. But they carry out the important life processes like
photosynthesis, respiration and transport of food, etc.

Q. 11 Will the ascent of sap be possible without the cohesion and adhesion of
the water molecules? Explain.
Ans. No, the ascent of sap is not possible without the cohesive and adhesive properties of water
as they play an important role in transport of water because of the following reasons
(i) Cohesion forces hold together the water molecule in the conducting channels, so
vacuum is not created.
(ii) Adhesive forces between the water molecule and cellulose of cell wall make a thin film
of water along the channels so, this film can be pulled up by transpiration pull drawing
more and more water upwards in the conducting channels from the root.

Q. 12 Keep some freshly cut flowers in a solution of food colour. Wait for
sometime for the days to rise in the flower, when the stem, of the flower
is held up in light, coloured strands can be seen inside. Can this
experiment demonstrate which tissue is conducting water up the stem?
Ans. Yes, it shows that xylem tissue conducts water.
Q. 13 When a freshly collected Spirogyra filament is kept in a 10% potassium
nitrate solution, it is observed that the protoplasm shrinks in size
(a) What is this phenomenon called?
(b) What will happen if the filament is replaced in distilled water?
Ans. (a) Plasmolysis is the name of the phenomenon, occurring is Spirogyra filament when
placed in 10% potassium nitrate solution (hypertonic solution). It occurs as water from
the cell is drown out to extracellular fluid causing the protoplast to shrink away from cell
wall.
(b) When the Spirogyra again reabsorb water, protoplast will again and will come back in its
original shape. This phenomenon is known as deplasmolysis.

Q. 14 Sugar crystals do not dissolve easily in ice cold water. Explain.

Ans. Pure water has tremendous free energy at normal room temperature. That is called water
potential. When the water temperature drops down, the free energy is reduced so, sugar
does not get dissolved easily in, i.e., cold water.

Q. 15 Salt is applied to tennis lawns to kill weeds. How does salting tennis
lawns help in killing of weeds without affecting the grass?
Ans. Salt solution being hypertonic, causes exo-osmosis in plants. 1 cup salt in 2 cup of water,
fairly well dissolved when sprayed on weed plants, start killing them. This salt
concentration is then increased in subsequent sprays, if the weeds are still thriving in the
field.

Q. 16 What is the chemical composition of xylem and phloem sap?

Ans. Xylem sap consists of mainly water and some solutes or mineral nutrients.
Phloem sap mainly consists of the sucrose, a kind of transport sugar which is a
diasaccharide, hormones and amino acids are also found in phloem sap of the plants.

Q. 17 If you are provided with two tubes (A and B), where one is narrow and
the other is relatively wider and if both are immersed in a beaker
containing water as shown in the figure.

A B
Why does B show higher water rise than A?
Ans. The tube B will show higher level than tube A because of the capillary action.
Q. 18 What are ‘aquaporins’? How does presence of aquaporins affect osmosis?
K Thinking Process
Peter Agre was awarded Nobel Prize in chemistry (2003) for discovering Aquaporins.
Ans. Aquaporins are integral membrane proteins. These form pores or channels in the
membrane. The water can flow more rapidly through these pores to inside of the cell, as
compared to the process of diffusion.
These are plumbing systems of the cells. These selectively conduct water in and out of the
cells, while preventing the passage of ions and other solutes.

Q. 19 ABA (Abscisic Acid) is called a stress hormone.

A. How does this hormone overcome stress conditions?
B. From where does this hormone get released in leaves?
Ans. A. Stress hormone ABA (Abscisic Acid) gives signals to stomata to get closed, whenever
there is scarcity of availability of water to the plant. This prevents the loss of water
through transpiration by leaves. It also increases the tolerance of plants to various kinds
of stresses.
B. It (ABA) is released or transported from stem apices to leaves.

Q. 20 We know that plants are harmed by excess water. But plants survive
under flooded condition. How are they able to manage excess water?
Ans. Plants can get rid of excess water by increasing the transpiration rate but upto a certain
limit. Prolong water logged conditions for roots may lead to the death of the plant (as they
can not respire).

Q. 21 Differentiate between diffusion and translocation in plants.

Ans. Difference between diffusion and translocation in plants is as follows
Diffusion Translocation
It is the movement of solute from It is movement of organic compounds
higher concentration to lower mineral salts from one part of the plant
concentration. to another.
No energy consumption involved. It is energy consuming process.

Q. 22 How is facilitated diffusion different from diffusion?

Ans. Difference between diffusion and facilitated diffusion is as follows
Diffusion Facilitated Diffusion
In diffusion, molecules move in a The diffusion of substance against a
random fashion, the net result being concentration gradient, which is facilitated by
substances moving from regions of the proteins is known as facilitated diffusion
higher concentration to regions of lower without expenditure of ATP energy.
concentration.
The porins proteins that form huge pores in the
Diffusion is a slow process and is not outer membranes of the plastids, mitochondria
dependent on a ‘living system’. No and some bacteria allow molecules up to the
expenditure of energy takes place. size of small proteins to pass through.
Q. 23 Explain the mass flow hypothesis of transport in phloem.
Ans. Mass flow hypothesis was first proposed by Ernst Munch (1930). It explains the transport
of solute or sugars, i.e., sucrose in the phloem tissue.
It involves the following three steps
(a) Phloem loading
(b) Translocation of solutes
(c) Phloem unloading
Loading of sieve tubes takes
Source
place in leaves. Photosynthetic
(e.g., leaf
cells make sugars, particularly
sucrose, and other organic
solutes.
Companion cells use energy to
High pressure collect solutes by active
solutes transport. As solute
+ Xylem vessel concentration increases in the
Water
Companion cell companion cells, water enters by
(transfer cell) osmosis.
Sieve tube A pressure is created, which
pushes the solutes through
plasmodesmata into the sieve
Mass flow
tubes. It is an active process.
of solution Sieve tubes Translocation of sucrose takes
place through phloem column.
Increase in hydrostatic pressure
inside sieve tubes is greatest at
Stem the source and lowest at the sink.
It pushes sucrose etc., from
source to sink.
Solutes + Water Unloading of the sieve tubes
takes place at the sink sites.
It results in active transport of
Low pressure
sugars out of the pholem
converting them into complex
Sink sugars. Loss of solutes from the
(e.g., root) phloem create a high water
potential, and water moves out
Movement of solutes such as sucrose through the of phloem, returning back to
phloem of a plant xylem.
Sinks are the regions where
solutes i.e., sugars or food are
being used, e.g., roots, fruits,
storage organs and regions of
growth.
Q. 24 Observe the diagram and answer the following.

(i) (ii)
(a) Are these types of guard cells found in monocots or dicots?
(b) Which of these shows a higher water content (i) or (ii)?
(c) Which element plays an important role in the opening and closing of
stomata?
Ans. (a) The guard cells are bean-shaped which are found in dicot plants.
(b) The guards cells in figure (i) are turgid as, they pull the inner wall of the cell outside thus,
they have more water. (ii) cells are flacid, this condition results when cells lose water and
close stomatal pore.
(c) The K + ions when move from neighbouring cells to guards cells, lowering their water
potential as a result the water moves inside making them turgid and thus opening
stomata.

Q. 25 Define uniport, symport and antiport. Do they require energy?

Ans. The biological membranes have many mechanism for movement of substances to and for.
Some are active and some are passive. Specific membrane proteins are also involved for
special types of transport mechanisms.
Uniport This is a membrane transport system by a integral membrane protein that is
involved in facilitated diffusion. These channels get open in response to a stimulus for free
flow of specific molecules in a specific direction. These transport molecule with solute
gradient without energy expenditure.
Symport This involves the movement of two or more different molecules or ions, across the
membrane in the same direction, with no energy expenditure.
Antiport also called exchanger. This integral membrane protein is involved in secondary
active transport of two or more different molecules or ions across the membrane in opposite
directions, without affecting the tansport of other molecules.
Uniport Symport Antiport
A A B A

B
Long Answer Type Questions
Q. 1 Minerals are present in the soil in sufficient amounts. Do plants need to
adjust the type of solutes that reach the xylem? Which molecules help to
adjust this? How do plants regulate the type and quantity of solutes that
reach xylem?
Ans. Yes, plants need to adjust the type and quantity of solutes that reach the xylem. The
transport proteins of endodermal cell help in maintaining and adjusting solute movement.
As the minerals are present in soil as charged particles with a very low concentration as
compared of roots, they, all cannot be complately passively transported across cell
membranes of root hairs.
Thus, minerals are transported both by active and passive processes, to the xylem. Upon
reaching xylem, they are further transported, i.e., upwards to sinks through transpiration
stream. At the sink regions mineral ions are unloaded through diffusion and active uptake by
receptor cells.
Some of the mineral ions moving frequently through xylem are
(i) Nitrogen travels in plants as inorganic ions NO 2 and NO 3 but much of the nitrogen
moves in the form of amino acids and related organic compounds.
(ii) Sulphur and Phosphorus small amount of these two nutrients are carried in organic
forms.
(iii) Mineral ions are frequently remobilised particularly from older senescing parts. Older
dying leaves export much of their mineral content to younger leaves. Similarly, before
leaf fall in decidous plants, minerals are removed to other parts.
Elements most readily mobilised are phosphorus, sulphur, nitrogen and potassium. Some
elements that are structural components like calcium are not remobilised.

Q. 2 Plants show temporary and permanent wilting. Differentiate between the

two. Do any of them indicate the water status of the soil?
Ans. Wilting refers to the loss of turgidity of leaves and other soft aerial parts of a plant causing
droping, folding and rolling of non-woody plants. It occurs when rate of loss of water is
higher than the rate of absorption.

Temporary Wilting Permanent Wilting

Temporary drooping of young leaves State of permanent loss of turgidity in
and shoots due to loss of turgidity leaves and other parts of plant.
especially during noon.
Occurs when rate of transpiration is Rate of transpiration is more than rate
more than water absorption due to of absorption but difference is below
shrinkage of roots. critical level.
Wilting recovers as soon as water is Wilting is not recovered as cells do not
replenished in the soil around root regain their turgidity even in presence
hairs. of plentiful water and atmosphere.
Plant regains its normal growth. Plant eventually dies.
Q. 3 Which of these is a Semipermeable Membrane (SP) and which is
Selectively Permeable (SL)?
(a) Animal bladder (b) Plasmalemma (c) Tonoplast
(d) Parchment membrane (e) Egg membrane
Ans. Animal bladder Semipermeable Plasmalemma Selectively permeable
Tonoplast Selectively permeable Parchment membrane Semipermeable
Egg membrane Semipermeable

Q. 4 Halophytes may show precell pressure very much higher than atmospheric
pressure. Explain how this can happen?
K Thinking Process
Halophytes have been defined as salt tolerant plants having cellular, biochemical,
physiological and anatomical mechanisms allowing them to survive in high salinity
conditions.
Ans. The halophytes have salt secreting glands in their epidermal tissue. The help in removal of
excess salts from their internal tissue to maintain their osmolarity and the atmospheric
pressure on them.

Q. 5 The radio labelled carbon in carbon dioxide supplied to potato plants in

an experiment was seen in the tuber eventually. Trace the movement of
the labelled carbon dioxide.
Ans. If a radio labelled carbon C14 in is supplied to patato plants while it’s carrying out
photosynthesis in the presence of light, the C14O 2 will be fixed and form radioactive
products of photosynthesis, i.e., glucose C14
6 H12O 6 .

This radioacative glucose is converted to sucrose which would again be radioactive due to
transfer of C14 from previous sugar molecule. These sucrose molecules then move into
pholem and transported to other parts of plant.
Autoradiography technique detects the radioactive carbon (present in sugars) and traces
the components and movement in the plant, i.e., through sieve tube channels of phloem
from leaves (sources) to different parts (sink).

Q. 6 Water molecule is very polar. Polar end of molecule attracts opposite

charges on another water molecule (acts like magnet). How will you
explain this property of water with reference to upward movement of
water? Comment on the upward movement of water given the
intermolecular hydrogen bonding in water.
Ans. Attraction of water molecules to polar surfaces describes the adhesive properties of water.
Besides, the cohesive properties include the attraction between water molecules. These
two cohesive and adhesive properties contributes and help in the upward movement of
water by providing.
(i) High tensile strength Capability to resist a pulling force, i.e., gravitational force.
(ii) High capillarity Ability to rise in thin tubes or columns, i.e., of tracheids
and vessels.
The intermolecular hydrogen bonding in water ensures that more water molecules are
attraction to each other in liquid state than in the gaseous state. This contributes to surface
tension which in turn accounts for high capillarity in the xylem column.
Q. 7 Comment on the experimental setup.

Air

Leafy shoot

Rubber tubing

Air free water

Mercury

(a) What does the setup demonstrate?

(b) What will happen to the level of water if a blower is placed close to
setup?
(c) Will the mercury level fluctuate (go up/down) if phenyl mercuric
acetate is sprayed on leaves?
K Thinking Process
There is continuous loss of water from its body surface in the form of water. Maximum
amount of water plants absorb gets lost to environment in this form. It is said
transpiration. This is a necessary evil in the plants.
Ans. (a) Transpirational pull is demonstrated by this set up.
(b) Constant air blowing will increase the rate of transpiration so, level of water will go down.
(c) The mercury level will go down, if phenyl mercuric acetate is sprayed on leaves.