The importance of exchange surfaces and transport systems in plants
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how exchange surfaces and transport systems enable cells in multicellular plants to be supplied quickly with substances they need to stay alive.
Key learning points
- Cells in all parts of a multicellular plant need water and nutrients, such as mineral ions, to stay alive.
- Xylem and phloem transport substances around the plant and minimise the distance they have to diffuse to reach cells.
- Root hair cells are an example of an exchange surface in plants.
- The root hair cell membrane is adapted to maximise the surface area for osmosis of water and active transport of ions.
Keywords
Diffusion - the net movement of particles from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration
Active transport - the net movement of particles against a concentration gradient using energy
Osmosis - the net movement of water molecules through a selectively-permeable membrane from high to low concentration of water molecules
Exchange surface - a specialised surface which enables the efficient exchange of substances
Surface area - the total area of the surface of an object
Common misconception
Students struggle with the idea that plants have organs and systems like humans, and that all these systems and cells are adapted with specialised features to enable them to do their job effectively.
The plant vascular system and human circulatory system have been compared, and human lung alveoli and digestive system villi have been compared with root hair cells.
Teacher tip
Use wrapping paper to help show in practical terms by how much the surface area increases in root hair cells because of the 'hair'.
Equipment
None required.
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Diffusion is the net movement of particles ...
Q2.Osmosis is a specific type of diffusion that involves the movement of molecules through a selectively-permeable membrane.
Q3.__________ uses energy to move particles against the natural gradient.
Q4.Which sub-cellular structures carry out cellular respiration?
Q5.Which type of leaf cells carry out the most photosynthesis?
Q6.Which type of specialised plant cells do not contain chloroplasts?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the function of xylem in plants?
Q2.Which cells increase the surface area for water and mineral uptake in roots?
Q3.What is the main function of phloem in plants?
Q4.What role do stomata play in the process of gas exchange in leaves?
Q5.Which of the following are phloem responsible for transporting?
Q6.Match the transport method to where it occurs in a plant.
Water vapour out of the leaves
Sugars and amino acids into and out of the phloem
Water into the root hair cells from the soil
To help you plan your 11 combined science lesson on: The importance of exchange surfaces and transport systems in plants, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 combined science lesson on: The importance of exchange surfaces and transport systems in plants, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 combined science lessons from the Transport and exchange surfaces in plants unit, dive into the full secondary combined science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.