What kind of xylem composition is seen in Pinus (gymnosperm) compared to that in
ID: 58570 • Letter: W
Question
What kind of xylem composition is seen in Pinus (gymnosperm) compared to that in a flowering plant such as tilia or quercus (trachieds? Vessel elements? A mix?) How much bigger are the vessel elements, on avg., than the tracheidsWhat happens to water loss rates when humidity outside leaves is low? Why? What is the advantage of being able to maintain high water flow rates throughout a plant? What kind of xylem composition is seen in Pinus (gymnosperm) compared to that in a flowering plant such as tilia or quercus (trachieds? Vessel elements? A mix?) How much bigger are the vessel elements, on avg., than the tracheids
What happens to water loss rates when humidity outside leaves is low? Why? What is the advantage of being able to maintain high water flow rates throughout a plant? How much bigger are the vessel elements, on avg., than the tracheids
What happens to water loss rates when humidity outside leaves is low? Why? What is the advantage of being able to maintain high water flow rates throughout a plant?
Explanation / Answer
1)
Some plants have evolved tubes that are used for the transport of materials up and down the stem. Xylem conducts water and ions. The xylem consists of 2 types of cells known as vessel members and tracheids. Water and ions flow through the adjacent pits along the walls laterally, thus maintaining a constant flow through the xylem.
The composition of xylem varies from gymnosperms to angiosperms (flowering plant).
The gymnosperms have secondary xylem, which are made up of cellulose reinforced by lignin. Xylem vessels present in angiosperms, whereas gymnosperms have xylem tracheids.
2)
If humidity outside leaves is low, then it increases the water potential gradient or gradient of water vapor, therefore more diffusion will occur.
3)
The advantage of being able to maintain high water flow rates throughout a plant is that to maintain proper turgor pressure and rate of transpiration.
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