Chapter 2 ● Body systems
2.8 Plant systems
Plants, like animals, are made up of systems root system
of organs. A plant has two systems – the the part of a plant that is below
root system and the shoot system. These ground; it absorbs water and
nutrients from the soil
two systems function, as do animal systems,
to provide the plant with the requirements shoot system
necessary for it to survive. Shoot the leaves and stems of a plant
system
Root system
The root system is the part of the plant that is
below ground. Its organs include the roots and
any extensions of the roots such as tubers and
rhizomes (see Chapter 3).
The root Root
The main functions of the roots are to anchor system
the plant in the soil, and to absorb water and
Figure 2.26
minerals for use by the plant. The surface area
A plant is made up of
for absorption of water is greatly increased by
systems.
the elongated root hair cells (Figure 2.27).
Getty Images/Adam Hart-Davis/SPL
Figure 2.27
Root hair cells greatly
increase the surface area for
absorption of water.
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Shoot system
The shoot system is the part of the plant that is above ground. The organs in this system
include leaves, stems and flowers.
The leaf
photosynthesis The leaves are the major organs of photosynthesis.
the process that uses the energy Photosynthesis is the chemical reaction in green plants that enables them to produce their
from the Sun to provide nutrition own simple sugar, glucose, using energy from the Sun. The plant’s organs are structured so they
for plants
allow the plant to gain the inputs required for photosynthesis (carbon dioxide and water) and then
transport the product (glucose) around the plant so it can be used by cells for respiration.
stomata
The chemical equation for photosynthesis is:
tiny pores on the leaf surface sunlight
carbon dioxide + water glucose + oxygen
that allow gas exchange for
photosynthesis; water is lost chlorophyll
through stomata Pores in the leaf surface, called stomata (singular ‘stoma’), open and close to allow
entry of carbon dioxide into the leaf. Around the edge of stomata are specialised cells called
guard cells
guard cells.
cells that surround a stoma,
allowing it to open and close
Corbis/Dr. Gerald Van Dyke/Visuals Unlimited
Figure 2.28
Stomata allow the entry into
and exit of gases from a leaf.
ACTIVITY 2.3
ACTIVITY SHEET
Mnemonic
Looking at stomata
Create a mnemonic (a tool to help you remember) that you can use to
recall the word equation for photosynthesis. Upload your mnemonic to
the class wiki.
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Chapter 2 ● Body systems
The stem
The water required for photosynthesis is transported in the stems from the root system to the xylem
leaves by specialised xylem cells. Xylem cells are tubular in shape, stacked one on top of the water transport system in
another. The end walls of the xylem cells break down to form one long continuous tube running plants
from the roots of the plant to the leaves.
The glucose produced by photosynthesis in the leaf can either be used immediately by
the cell for cellular respiration, or be transported away to be stored for later use. Storage
of excess glucose as starch occurs in the root system and leaves of the plant. Excess
glucose is transported from the leaves to the roots by specialised phloem cells. Phloem phloem
cells are tubular in shape, like xylem cells, but their end walls are perforated like a sieve. the nutrient transport system in
The liquid inside the phloem can move in two directions, from the leaves to the roots for plants
storage, and from the roots to the leaves when glucose is in short supply.
One-way only
VIDEO
Water and minerals Water uptake by plants
No end walls between cells ACTIVITY SHEET
Looking at xylem
Thick walls stiffened
with lignin Figure 2.29
Xylem cells transport water
from the roots to the leaves.
End wall
Getty Images/POWER AND SYRED/SPL
Figure 2.30 (left)
Sieve tube Spirals of lignin supporting
xylem tubes
Companion cell
Figure 2.31 (right)
Phloem cells showing
perforated sieve plates
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WEBLINK ACTIVITY 2.4
Crossword
Plant systems
Use a graphic organiser of your choice to display the key ideas about plant
systems. Upload your work to the class wiki. Include the reason for your
choice of graphic organiser.
QUESTIONS 2.6
WORKSPACE
What have you learnt? 2.6
What have you learnt?
Understanding
1 Identify the two systems that make up a plant.
2 Identify the requirements for photosynthesis. Describe how plants get
these requirements.
3 Identify the products of photosynthesis. Write a word equation for
photosynthesis.
4 Identify uses in plants for the products of photosynthesis.
Applying
5 Compare and contrast each of the following pairs:
a root hair cells and small intestinal villi
b xylem cells and human veins
ICT
c xylem cells and phloem cells.
Creating
Create a
crossword by 6 Explain how an increased surface area is achieved in both the human
using words from body and in plants. Draw a labelled diagram of the structures.
the glossary terms Reflecting
throughout this
7 Explain why having a large surface area is so important.
chapter. Swap
crosswords with 8 Repeat the ‘What do you already know about body systems?’ activity.
a partner and Compare your two drawings. Identify what you have learnt in this chapter
complete them. in your workspace.
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