An uprooted plant was left in the sun. After a few hours, the plant looked wilted and weak. What could be the most likely reason?
- AOption (a)
Water conduction through xylem was blocked
- BOption (b)
Water conduction through xylem was started
- COption (c)
Food translocation through phloem began
- DOption (d)
Food translocation through xylem was blocked
View answer & explanationHide answer & explanation
Correct answer
Water conduction through xylem was blocked
Why this answer is correct
The correct answer is Water conduction through xylem was blocked.
Key Points
- Water conduction in plants occurs through the xylem tissue, which is responsible for transporting water and minerals from the roots to other parts of the plant, including leaves.
- When a plant is uprooted, its roots are damaged or severed. This disrupts the xylem vessels, blocking the flow of water and essential nutrients to the plant's aerial parts such as stems and leaves.
- Wilting occurs when the plant loses more water through transpiration than it can absorb from the soil. In the absence of water conduction, the leaves and stems lose turgidity, making the plant appear weak and droopy.
- Exposure to sunlight exacerbates the water loss through transpiration, accelerating the wilting process. Since the plant can no longer replenish lost water, the symptoms become more pronounced.
- This highlights the critical role of the xylem in maintaining the plant's water balance and structural integrity.
- Hence, the statement "Water conduction through xylem was blocked" explains the observed wilting of the plant.
Additional Information
- Xylem Tissue:
- The xylem is a vascular tissue in plants composed of tracheids, vessels, xylem parenchyma, and xylem fibers.
- It transports water and dissolved minerals from the roots upward to the rest of the plant.
- Xylem vessels and tracheids provide structural support while facilitating water conduction.
- Wilting:
- Wilting is the loss of rigidity in non-woody parts of a plant due to excessive water loss or insufficient water uptake.
- It typically occurs due to drought stress, root damage, or issues such as blocked xylem vessels.
- Prolonged wilting can lead to plant death if the water deficit is not addressed.
- Transpiration:
- Transpiration is the process by which water evaporates from the aerial parts of the plant, mainly through stomata in the leaves.
- It plays a critical role in pulling water upward through the xylem via the cohesion-tension mechanism.
- Increased transpiration under sunlight speeds up water loss, making the plant more vulnerable to wilting if water absorption is impaired.
- Phloem vs. Xylem:
- While xylem conducts water and minerals, phloem is responsible for the translocation of food (sugars) produced during photosynthesis.
- In this scenario, the role of the phloem is unrelated to the wilting observed in the plant.
Important Points
- Mechanism of Water Transport:
- The movement of water through the xylem occurs via the cohesion-tension theory, which involves the cohesive force between water molecules and the tension created by transpiration.
- Root pressure also contributes to water movement but plays a minor role compared to transpiration pull.
- Environmental Factors Affecting Transpiration:
- Light: Increases stomatal opening, leading to higher rates of transpiration.
- Temperature: Higher temperatures increase evaporation and transpiration rates.
- Humidity: Lower humidity levels accelerate water loss through transpiration.
- Wind: Windy conditions remove the moisture layer near the leaf surface, increasing transpiration.
- Plant Adaptations:
- Plants in arid environments often have adaptations like sunken stomata, thick cuticles, or reduced leaf surface area to minimize water loss.
- Some plants store water in specialized tissues (succulents) to survive periods of drought.