Support and Transport in Plants and Animals: Mechanism
≈ 24 minMechanism
Follow the mechanism step by step and distinguish what causes the change from what is merely observed.
This extension applies that lens specifically to Support and Transport in Plants and Animals.
Living things must transport materials and support their bodies.
In plants:
- Xylem carries water and minerals up from the roots. Water is pulled up because it evaporates from the leaves in a process called transpiration.
- Phloem carries dissolved sugars made in the leaves to the rest of the plant.
- Support comes from thickened tissues (collenchyma and sclerenchyma) and, in soft green plants, from turgor pressure - water pushing the cell contents against the cell wall to keep the plant firm. When a plant loses too much water it wilts.
In animals:
- Vertebrates such as humans have an internal skeleton (endoskeleton) made of bone and cartilage. It gives support and shape, allows movement (muscles pull on bones), and protects organs (the skull protects the brain).
- Insects and crayfish instead have a hard outer exoskeleton.
Life Sciences Grade 10: Cells, Tissues and the Diversity of Life — Mechanism: In a plant, which tissue transports dissolved sugars (food) made in the leaves to the rest of the plant?
Life Sciences Grade 10: Cells, Tissues and the Diversity of Life — Mechanism: Name the process, driven by evaporation of water from the leaves, that helps pull water up the xylem of a plant.
Life Sciences Grade 10: Cells, Tissues and the Diversity of Life — Mechanism: A soft, green herbaceous plant that has not been watered begins to droop. Which explanation is correct?
Name the original topic being extended by this mechanism lesson.
Which statement is the best evidence-led starting point for Support and Transport in Plants and Animals: Mechanism?