ABSORPTION BY ROOTS

LIST OF DEFINITIONS

1 Osmosis: It is the movement of water or solvent molecules from a hypotonic solution or pure solvent to a
region of hypertonic solution across a semi-permeable membrane.
2 Hypotonic solution: A solution whose concentration of solute is less than cell sap.
3 Isotonic solution: A solution whose concentration of solute is same as that of cell sap.
4 Hypertonic solutions: A solution whose concentration of solute is more than that of cell sap.
5 Endosmosis: Inward movement of water or solvent molecules in a cell or system from the outside hypotonic
solution or pure solvent, through a semi-permeable membrane.
6 Exosmosis: Outward movement of water molecules from a cell or system to the outside hypertonic solution
through a semi-permeable membrane.
7 Turgid: Condition of a cell in which it is fully charged with water and cannot accommodate any more.
8 Flaccid:It is condition when the cell contents are shrunken and the cell can accommodate more water.
9 Plasmolysis : It is the shrinkage of protoplasm, along with the cell membrane, from the cell wall, due to
exosmosis, when the cell is in hypertonic solution.
10 Turgor Pressure: Outward pressure applied by the contents of turgid cell on cell wall.
11 Wall Pressure: Inward pressure applied by the cell wall to the contents of turgid cell.
12 Osmotic Pressure: It the minimum pressure which has to be applied to a solution to prevent the entry
of solvent molecules into it when it is separated from a pure solvent by a semi-permeable membrane.
13 Deplasmolysis : It is the return of plasmolysed cell to previous turgid condition, due to endosmosis
when it is placed in a hypotonic solution or pure solvent.
14 Root pressure: Pressure developed in the cortical cells of the root due to alternate turgidity or flaccidity of the
cortical cell and the root hair cells, by endosmosis and exosmosis which forces water into the system.
15 Imbibition : It the phenomenon by which living or dead cells of plants, in their dry or semi dry state,
absorb water due to surface attraction.
Raisins, dry seeds, imbibe water and swell up. Wooden doors and windows imbibe moisture in the rainy season,
swell up and get jammed.
16 Diffusion: It is the movement of molecules of solid, liquid and gas from higher to lower concentration,
when they are in direct contact till concentration is same throughout.
17 Ascent of sap: Upward movement of water and dissolved minerals from root to leaves through the xylem.
18 Transpiration Pull: It is the suction created on the water column in the xylem due to transpiration from
aerial parts of the plant.
19 Active absorption: Absorption of substances from lower to higher concentration, utilizing energy as ATP.
20 Passive absorption: Absorption of substance from higher to lower concentration without utilizing energy as ATP.
21 Freely Permeable Membranes: Membrane which allows solvent and solute molecules to pass through it freely
without any hindrance.
Ex: Cell Wall; Muslin Cloth
22 Semi Permeable Membrane: Membrane which allows only solvent molecules to pass through it but prevents the
passage of solute molecules. Ex: Egg membrane; Parchment Paper; Cellophane paper;
Goats Bladder [Artificial Membrane]
23 Selectively Permeable Membrane: Membrane which allows solvent molecules and selectively certain solute ions
to pass through it. Ex: Cell Membrane
24 Impermeable Membrane: Membrane which does not allows either solvent or solute molecules to pass through it.
Ex: Rubber Sheet ; Cork
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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Q1. State the characteristics of roots for absorbing water.

Ans.

1. Roots have numerous rootlets and root hairs that provides huge surface area for absorbing water

2. Root hairs contain cell sap , of a higher solute concentration than the surrounding soil water that
facilitates endosmosis of water.

3. root hairs have thin freely-permeable cell wall and selectively- permeable cell membrane.

Q2. Give examples of imbibitions.

Ans. 1.Wooden doors swell up during rainy season as cellulose being hydrophilic imbibes water.

2. Seed coats of germinating seeds ruptures due to imbibitional pressure when soaked in water.

3. Raisins swell up when soaked in water due to imbibitions.

Q3. State the significance of diffusion in plants and animals.

1. In photosynthesis CO2 from stomata diffuses into the leaves

2. In transpiration the diffusion of water from the leaves into the environment.

3. During respiration, CO2 diffuses out through stomata while O2 from outside diffuses into the leaves.

In animals-

1.Gaseous exchange during respiration is done through diffusion.

2. Many cells (like amoeba) takes in oxygen and gives out carbondioxide through the process of diffusion.

3. The movement of carbondioxide from the lungs into the air sac is aided by diffusion.

Q4. State significance of osmosis in plants and animals.

Ans. In plants-

1. Absorption of water from soil by endosmosis.

2. Helps in opening and closing of stomata by alternate turgidity and flaccidity of guard cells due to
endosmosis and exosmosis respectively

In animals-

1. The movement of water into the cytoplasm in unicellular organism such as paramecium and
Amoeba.

2. Re-absorption of water in the kidney tubules of mammals

Q5. State the significance of active transport in plants.

Ans. Uptake of mineral ions/salts by the root hair cells from the soil is facilitated by active transport.

Q6. State significance of turgidity in plants.

Ans. 1. Turgidity provides rigidity to soft tissues like leaves.

2. Turgor pressure helps the roots to push through the hard ground.

3. Turgor in root cells build up root pressure.

4. Alternate Turgidity and flaccidity of guard cells helps in opening and closing of stomata
respectively.

5. Turgor movements like drooping of leaves of Mimosa pudica when touched, bending of flowers
towards sun etc.

Q7. State the significance of plasmolysis.

Ans. 1. Jams/ pickles have high concentration of sugar/salt. This makes the solution hypertonic. Bacteria
and fungi entering the medium gets plasmolysed due to exosmosis and die.

2. Meat and fish are dried and salted to protect against spoilage by bacteria/fungi.

3. Plasmolysis can also be induced to loosen the grasp of leech from skin.

4. We gargle with salt solution in throat infection. Salt solution acts as hypertonic solution for bacteria
which gets plasmolysed due to exosmosis and die.

Q8. State the forces contributing to ascent of sap.

Ans. 1. Root pressure

2. Transpiration pull

3. Forces of adhesion and cohesion.

4. Capillarity.

GIVE REASONS

1. Potato cubes when placed in water become firm and increase in size/Wilted lettuce becomes crisp in
cold water

Ans. Potato cubes/Lettuce absorb water (hypotonic for the potato cells) by the process of endosmosis , the
cells become turgid and the potato cube/Lettuce becomes firm.
2. Balsam plants wilt during midday even if the soil is well watered.
Ans. The rate of transpiration is more than the rate of absorption of water as the intensity of light and
temperature is high during midday. So the leaf cells lose water due to excess transpiration, becomes
flaccid and leaves wilt.
3. Plants growing in fertilized soil are often found to wilt if the soil is not adequately watered.
Ans. Soil medium becomes hypertonic. Root hair cells lose water by exosmosis, gets plasmolysed and the
plants wilt
4. Marine fish burst when kept under tap water.
Ans. Marine fishes have in their bodies a higher concentration of solutes. When they are kept in fresh tap water,
the solute concentration in their bodies is relatively higher as compared to tap water. water enters into the fishes’
body by endosmosis. Due to this the fishes’ start to swell, a stage comes when the fishes’ bodies burst.
5. On sprinkling salt on grass , kills it.
Ans. Sprinkling salt makes soil water hypertonic, grass root cells lose water by exosmosis, gets plasmolysed and
die.
DIAGRAM/EXPERIMENT BASED QUESTIONS
Q1. The diagram shows a layer of epidermal cells showing a fully grown root hair. Answer the questions by
seeing the diagram:

(i) Name the parts labelled A. B, C and D.

(ii) The root hair cell is in a turgid state. Name and explain the process which caused
this state.
(iii) Mention one distinct difference between the parts labelled A and B.
(iv) Draw a diagram of the above root hair cell as it would appear when a concentrated
solution of fertilisers is added near it.

Ans. (i) A- Cell wall

B- Cell membrane
C – Cell sap
D-Nucleus
(ii) The process is Endosmosis which causes the cell to become turgid.
Endosmosis is the inward movement of water molecules from surrounding hypotonic solution into the cell
through semi-permeable membrane.
(iii) Part A: Cell wall; Part B: Cell membrane
Cell Wall Cell Membrane
freely permeable membrane. selectively-permeable membrane.

iv. Plasmolysed root hair cell

Q2. A candidate in order to study the process of osmosis has taken 3 potato cubes and put them in 3
different beakers containing 3 different solutions. After 24 hours, in the first beaker the potato cube
increased in size, in the second beaker the potato cube decreased in size and in the third beaker there was
no change in the size of the potato cube. The following diagram shows the result of the same experiment:

(i) Give the technical terms of the solutions used in beakers, 1, 2 and 3.
(ii) In beaker 3 the size of the potato cube remains the same. Explain the reason in
brief.
(iii) Write the specific feature of the cell sap of root hairs which helps in absorption of
water.
(iv) What is osmosis?
(v) How does a cell wall and a cell membrane differ in their permeability?

Ans.
i) 1 – Hypotonic Solution
2 – Hypertonic Solution
3 – Isotonic Solution
ii) In beaker 3. There is no difference in concentration of cell sap and concentration of solution in the
beaker is same. so there is no net movement of water molecules or No osmosis.
iii) Cell sap is hypertonic with respect to soil water as it has more solute concentration than soil water.
iv) Osmosis is the movement of water /solvent molecules from hypotonic solution to hypertonic solution
across a semi-permeable membrane.
v) Cell wall – Freely permeable
cell membrane – Selectively permeable

Q3. Given below is the diagram of an apparatus setup to study a very imporbmt
physiological process:

(i) Name the process being studied.

(ii)Explain the process.

(iii) What change would you observe in the thistle funnel containing sugar solution
after about 10 minutes?
(iv) Is sugar solution hypertonic or hypotonic?
(v) Name the part of the plant cell which is represented by the sugar solution.
(v)Why much salt is added to pickles.

Ans. (i) Osmosis

(ii) Osmosis is the movement of solvent or water molecules across a semi-permeable
membrane from the hypotonic solution to the hypertonic solution .
(iii)After 10 minutes, the level of sugar solution in the thistle will rise.
(iv)The sugar solution is hypertonic.
(v) Cell sap
(vi) Salt is added to pickles to kill bacteria by plasmolysis. A hypertonic medium is
created due to which water is drawn out of the bacterial cells by exosmosis, and the cells are
killed. Therefore, much salt is added to the pickles for their preservation.

Q4. Given below are diagrams of plant cells as seen under the microscope after having
been placed in two different solutions.

(i) What is the technical term for the condition of

1. Cell A 2. Cell B
(ii) From the solutions given in brackets (water, strong sugar solution. 1% salt
solution), name the solution into which 1. Cell A and 2. Cell B was placed before being viewed under the
microscope.
(iii)Under what conditions in the soil will the root hair cell resemble 1. Cell A and 2.Cell B?
(iv)Name the pressure responsible for the movement of water from the root hair cell
to the xylem of the root. How is it set up?
(v) Name the pressure which helps in the movement of water up the xylem of the root.

Ans. (i) 1. Turgid cell 2. Plasmolysed cell

(ii) 1. Water 2. 1% salt solution
(iii)1. The root hair cell will resemble cell A when the soil is well watered.
2. The root hair cell will resemble cell B when there is a high concentration of fertiliser in the soil and
less water in it.
(iv) Root Pressure: Root pressure is responsible for the movement of water from the root hair cell to the
xylem of the root. It is built up by endosmosis in the root hair cells and cell to cell osmosis in the cortex
cells which push water into the xylem.
(v) Transpirational pull

Q5. The diagram given below represents a plant cell after being placed in a strong sugar solution. Study the
diagram and answer the questions that follow:
(i) What is the state of the cell shown in the diagram?

(ii) Name the structure that acts as a selectively permeable membrane.

(iii) Label the parts numbered 1 to 4 in the diagram.

(iv) How can the above cell be brought back to its original condition? Mention the scientific term for the
recovery of the cell.

(v) State any two features of the above plant cell which is not present in animal cells.

Ans. (i) Flaccid / Plasmolysed

(ii) Plasma membrane

(iii) 1. Cell wall 2. Strong sugar solution 3. Cell membrane 4. Nucleus

(iv) Keeping the cell in tap water / hypotonic solution.

Q6. The figure given below is a diagrammatic representation of a part of the cross section of the root in the
root hair zone. Study the same and then answer the questions that follow:

(i) Name the parts indicated by the guidelines 1 to 4.

(ii) Which is the process that enables the passage of water from the soil into the root hair?
(iii)Name the pressure that is responsible for the movement of water in the direction indicated by the
arrows. Define it.
(iv) Due to an excess of this pressure sometimes drops of water are found along the leaf margins of some
plants especially in the early mornings. What is the phenomenon called?
(v) Draw a well labelled diagram of the root hair cell as it would appear if an excess of fertiliser is added to
the soil close to it.
Ans. i) 1. Root hair cell
2. Soil particles / soil water
3. xylem vessel
4. Cortex cells
(ii) Endosmosis
(iii) Osmotic pressure / Root Pressure
– It is the minimum pressure to be exerted to prevent the passage of pure solvent into the solution when
the two are separated by a semipermeable membrane
– It is the pressure caused due to cell to cell osmosis.
(iv) guttation/ exudation

(v)
Question 8
Question 9

Question 10. Study the diagram given below and answer the questions that follow:

(a) Name the process being studied in the above experiment.

 (b) Explain the process mentioned in (a) above

(c) Why is oil placed over water?

(d) What do we observe with regard to the level of water when this set up is placed in (1) bright sunlight
(2) humid conditions (3) windy day?

(e) Mention any three adaptations found in plants to foster the process mentioned in (a) above

Ans. (a) The process of water absorption by plant roots through osmosis is being studied here.

(b) A root-hair contains cell sap which hypertonic as compared to outside soil water. Water enters into the
root-hair by endosmosis. From the cell bearing root-hair, water passes into adjoining cells one after
another to finally the xylem vessels.

(c) The surface of water was covered with oil to prevent any loss of water by evaporation.

(d) (1) Water level will fall faster (2) water level will fall slower (3) Water level will fall faster

(e) Adaptations in plants to foster the process of absorption of water by plant roots:
• Large surface area provided by rootlets and root hairs
• Root hairs containing cell sap at a higher solute concentration than that of the surrounding soil water
• Root hairs with thin freely permeable cell wall and selectively-permeable cell membrane.