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Q13:
What essential role does the root endodermis play during mineral absorption in plants?
Solution :
1. Biological Significance of the Root Endodermis
The root endodermis serves as a critical selective barrier in the radial pathway of water and mineral transport. It is characterized by the presence of the Casparian strip, a band of suberized, hydrophobic material (suberin) deposited in the radial and tangential cell walls of endodermal cells [Per the definition of apoplastic blockade].
2. The Mechanism of Selective Transport
Mineral absorption occurs through two primary pathways until the endodermis is reached: the Apoplastic pathway (movement through non-living cell walls and intercellular spaces) and the Symplastic pathway (movement through the cytoplasm connected by plasmodesmata).
- The Apoplastic Checkpoint: As minerals and water move via the apoplast, they eventually encounter the Casparian strip. This strip is impermeable to water and dissolved solutes [Per the Law of Selective Permeability].
- Forced Symplastic Entry: Due to the suberized barrier, the apoplastic movement of minerals is blocked. Consequently, solutes are forced to enter the cytoplasm of endodermal cells by crossing the plasma membrane.
- Active Selection: Once solutes are forced into the symplast, the plasma membrane of the endodermal cells uses transport proteins to perform selective absorption of specific ions. This allows the plant to regulate the internal concentration of essential minerals while excluding non-essential or toxic ions [Per the Principle of Homeostasis in Plant Physiology].
3. Visual Representation of the Endodermal Barrier
4. Comparative Analysis of Mineral Regulation
| Mechanism | Role of Endodermis |
|---|---|
| Passive Transport | Intercepted by Casparian strip; movement stops in apoplast. |
| Active Transport | Mediated by membrane proteins; selectively transports ions into the xylem. |
Final Solution: The root endodermis functions as a biological control gate. By utilizing the Casparian strip to block the apoplastic pathway, it mandates that all mineral ions must pass through the semi-permeable plasma membranes of endodermal cells. This enables the plant to exercise selective uptake of nutrients and prevent the entry of undesired solutes into the vascular cylinder (stele), ensuring the maintenance of osmotic balance and nutritional homeostasis.
More Questions from Class 11 Biology Transport in Plants EXERCISES
- Q1: What are the factors affecting the rate of diffusion?
- Q2: What are porins? What role do they play in diffusion?
- Q3: Describe the role played by protein pumps during active transport in plants.
- Q4: Explain why pure water has the maximum water potential.
- Q5(a): Differentiate between the following: (a) Diffusion and Osmosis
- Q5(b): Differentiate between the following: (b) Transpiration and Evaporation
- Q5(c): Differentiate between the following: (c) Osmotic Pressure and Osmotic Potential
- Q5(d): Differentiate between the following: (d) Imbibition and Diffusion
- Q5(e): Differentiate between the following: (e) Apoplast and Symplast pathways of movement of water in plants.
- Q5(f): Differentiate between the following: (f) Guttation and Transpiration.
- Q6: Briefly describe water potential. What are the factors affecting it?
- Q7: What happens when a pressure greater than the atmospheric pressure is applied to pure water or a solution?
- Q8(a): (a) With the help of well-labelled diagrams, describe the process of plasmolysis in plants, giving appropriate examples.
- Q8(b): (b) Explain what will happen to a plant cell if it is kept in a solution having higher water potential.
- Q9: How is the mycorrhizal association helpful in absorption of water and minerals in plants?
- Q10: What role does root pressure play in water movement in plants?
- Q11: Describe transpiration pull model of water transport in plants. What are the factors influencing transpiration? How is it useful to plants?
- Q12: Discuss the factors responsible for ascent of xylem sap in plants.
- Q14: Explain why xylem transport is unidirectional and phloem transport bi-directional.
- Q15: Explain pressure flow hypothesis of translocation of sugars in plants.
- Q16: What causes the opening and closing of guard cells of stomata during transpiration?
CBSE Solutions for Class 11 Biology Transport in Plants
Chapters in CBSE - Class 11 Biology
- The Living World
- Biological Classification
- Plant Kingdom
- Animal Kingdom
- Morphology of Flowering Plants
- Anatomy of Flowering Plants
- Structural Organisation in Animals
- Cell – The Unit of Life
- Biomolecules
- Cell Cycle and Division
- Mineral Nutrition
- Photosynthesis
- Respiration in Plants
- Plant Growth and Development
- Digestion and Absorption
- Breathing and Exchange of Gases
- Body Fluids and Circulation
- Excretory Products and Elimination
- Locomotion and Movement
- Neural Control and Coordination
- Chemical Coordination and Integration
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