Question 1: Define xylem and explain its main function in plants.

Answer: Xylem is a type of vascular tissue in plants responsible for transporting water and minerals from the roots to the leaves.

Question 2: Describe how phloem transports nutrients within a plant.

Answer: Phloem transports sugars and organic nutrients produced in photosynthesis from the leaves to other parts of the plant via a process called translocation.

Question 3: Which plant tissue is primarily responsible for water conduction? A) Phloem B) Xylem C) Cambium D) Sieve tube elements

Answer:

Question 1: A plant's xylem transports water at a rate of 2.5 litres per hour. How much water is transported in 24 hours? Show your working.

Answer: 60 litres

Question 2: If the rate of transpiration increases to 3.2 litres per hour during hot weather, what is the total volume of water transported in 8 hours? Show your working.

Answer: 25.6 litres

Question 1: Design a simple experiment to compare the rate of water movement in xylem when different concentrations of salt solution are used. Include variables and safety precautions.

Answer: Students could set up cut shoots with xylem connected to a water reservoir containing varying salt concentrations. Independent variable: salt concentration; dependent variable: rate of water movement (measured by uptake or flow). Controlled variables: temperature, light, shoot length. Safety precautions include handling salt solutions carefully to avoid skin contact and ensuring the apparatus is secure to prevent spills.

Question 1: A study shows that in a certain plant, the rate of xylem water flow decreases significantly during drought conditions. Explain the physiological reasons behind this observation.

Answer: During drought, soil moisture is low, reducing water availability. This causes a decrease in root water uptake and increases the tension in xylem vessels, leading to reduced water flow and potential cavitation, which further impairs transport.

Question 1: Explain how knowledge of xylem and phloem transport mechanisms can be utilised in developing drought-resistant crops.

Answer: By understanding how water and nutrients are transported, scientists can breed or engineer crops with more efficient xylem vessels that reduce water loss or with enhanced phloem function to ensure nutrient distribution under stress conditions, thus improving drought resistance.

Question 2: In industry, how might the principles of xylem and phloem transport influence the development of bio-inspired water transport systems?

Answer: Engineers can mimic xylem's capillary action and structural properties to develop efficient, passive water transport systems that require no external energy, useful in irrigation or water distribution technologies.