Water transport through stems

How water moves from the soil, up through the plant, and out from the leaves

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Try each question. If you're stuck, leave it and come back. The answer key is on the last page.

1
Put the journey of water through a plant in the correct order. Put these in order: Water in the soil, Absorbed by roots, Travels up the stem, Reaches the leaves, Evaporates from the leaves
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2
Which part of the plant absorbs water from the soil? A) Root hairs B) Petals C) Leaves D) Stem
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3
What is the main job of a plant's stem? A) To support the plant and transport water and nutrients B) To absorb sunlight C) To produce seeds D) To anchor the plant in the soil
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4
True or false? Water travels upwards through a plant's stem. A) True B) False
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5
Label the parts of the plant involved in moving water.
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6
Apart from water, what else does the plant take in through its roots? A) Dissolved minerals B) Sunlight C) Carbon dioxide D) Oxygen
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7
True or false? Water moves up the stem inside special tubes called xylem. A) True B) False
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8
If a celery stick is placed in coloured water, what would you expect to see? A) Coloured lines appearing inside the stem and going up to the leaves B) The water turning clear C) The roots growing larger D) The leaves falling off straight away
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9
Drag these stem cross-section layers in order from outside to inside. Put these in order: Tough outer skin, Soft cells underneath, Xylem tubes carrying water up
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10
A plant with a damaged stem (squashed flat) wilts. Why? A) The xylem tubes are blocked, so water cannot reach the leaves B) The plant cannot get any sunlight C) The roots have stopped working D) The leaves stop making food straight away
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Answer key

Water transport through stems · for parents and teachers

1
Water in the soil, Absorbed by roots, Travels up the stem, Reaches the leaves, Evaporates from the leaves
Water moves from the soil into the roots, up the stem in tiny tubes, into the leaves, and finally out as water vapour (transpiration).
2
Root hairs
Root hairs are tiny extensions of root cells. Their large surface area lets them absorb lots of water and dissolved minerals.
3
To support the plant and transport water and nutrients
The stem supports the plant and transports water and nutrients between roots and leaves.
4
True
True. Water moves upwards through the stem from the roots to the leaves.
5
roothairs: root hairs; stem: stem (xylem); leaves: leaves
Root hairs absorb water from the soil. Tubes called xylem run up the stem. Water leaves the plant from the leaves.
6
Dissolved minerals
Water carries dissolved minerals (like nitrates) up from the soil. The plant uses these minerals to grow healthy leaves and stems.
7
True
True. Xylem are tube-like cells running from roots to leaves. They form a kind of plumbing system that carries water upwards.
8
Coloured lines appearing inside the stem and going up to the leaves
The dye is carried up the xylem tubes with the water. This investigation shows the path water takes through the stem.
9
Tough outer skin, Soft cells underneath, Xylem tubes carrying water up
A stem has a tough outer layer, then softer cells, with the xylem tubes inside carrying water up to the leaves.
10
The xylem tubes are blocked, so water cannot reach the leaves
Crushing the stem squashes the xylem tubes. Water can't reach the leaves, so the leaves lose their stiffness and the plant wilts.