Plant TransportationA closer look at xylem and phloem

Vascular Plants

Vascular plants, like celery have a specialized system for transporting water and nutrients through their systems.

The stem of a plant has two main ‘highways’ of transportation: xylem and phloem.

How does a plant transport food, water

and nutrients?

Xylem The plant cells

that move water and nutrients from the roots to the leaves.

Phloem The plant cells

that move food from the leaves to the rest of the plant.

Xylem is in the center

Phloem is on the outer edge

Xylem

Phloem

Another LookHere you see a

longitudinal view of the xylem in celery.

Xylem Xylem

More views

More views

Xylem

More views

Xylem

More views

Xylem

Phloem

More views

How does it work?

• 1. Water is collected by the roots, but how does it get up to the leaves where it is needed?

• 2. As the plant receives sunlight, water in the plant is evaporated and escapes the plant.

• 3. The plant must replace the water. The water that is evaporating at the top creates suction that helps water from the roots climb to the leaves through the xylem.

• 4. Water passes from cell to cell until it gets to where it is needed.

1.

2.

cross sectionview

3.

Transpiration

4. H20

Sun/ Energy source

H20

More models of transpiration

More models of transpiration

More models of transpiration

More models of transpiration

Helpful Links

http://www.slideshare.net/scuffruff/xylem-and-phloem

http://hiddenvillaclassroom.org/curriculum/curriculum-for-your-school-garden/fifth-grade/colored-carnations-and-celery

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4rzLhz4HHk&feature=related

http://beckyboop.wordpress.com/2011/03/22/plant-transpiration-lesson-plan/