EBK BIOLOGY
EBK BIOLOGY
5th Edition
ISBN: 8220100667978
Author: Maier
Publisher: PEARSON
bartleby

Concept explainers

Question
Book Icon
Chapter 25, Problem 1LTB
Summary Introduction

To write:

The reason behind a column of water in a xylem tube that remains intact despite tremendous tension.

Introduction:

Water and minerals are taken from the soil, together called xylem sap, travel up the xylem, and the cells that help absorb water inside a plant. The tendency for similar molecules to bond such as molecules of water linked by hydrogen bonding, is said as cohesion. The tendency for unlike molecules to stick together, such as water is hydrogen-bonded to other polar molecules, is called adhesion.

Expert Solution & Answer
Check Mark

Explanation of Solution

The pulling force on a column of xylem sap is generated by the water evaporated from leaves. Stomata, the pores on leaf surfaces, control the exchange of gas and water loss in plants. From stomata, when water evaporates, the forces of adhesion and cohesion on the water molecules that remain inside the leaves create tension or negative water pressure. Tension is the force that allows the plunger to pull a column of water into a syringe.

Water adhesion to xylem cell walls and cohesion to other molecules of water even under extreme tension maintain continuity of xylem sap. Tension in plants causes water molecules to be drawn out into the leaf from the xylem to take the place of water that has evaporated. This in turn, increases tension on the water molecules immediately below them in the xylem, causing water molecules to move toward the leaves, roots and the soil.

Conclusion

Tension in leaf cell walls is important because it helps to maintain the transpiration stream. When water is sucked through the xylem, it creates low pressure in the xylem. The continuity is maintained together by cohesion and adhesion during transpiration.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!
Students have asked these similar questions
You aim to test the hypothesis that the Tbx4 and Tbx5 genes inhibit each other's expression during limb development. With access to chicken embryos and viruses capable of overexpressing Tbx4 and Tbx5, describe an experiment to investigate whether these genes suppress each other's expression in the limb buds. What results would you expect if they do repress each other? What results would you expect if they do not repress each other?
You decide to delete Fgf4 and Fgf8 specifically in the limb bud. Explain why you would not knock out these genes in the entire embryo instead.
You implant an FGF10-coated bead into the anterior flank of a chicken embryo, directly below the level of the wing bud. What is the phenotype of the resulting ectopic limb?  Briefly describe the expected expression domains of 1) Shh, 2) Tbx4, and 3) Tbx5 in the resulting ectopic limb bud.
Knowledge Booster
Background pattern image
Biology
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, biology and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Text book image
Biology (MindTap Course List)
Biology
ISBN:9781337392938
Author:Eldra Solomon, Charles Martin, Diana W. Martin, Linda R. Berg
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
BIOLOGY:CONCEPTS+APPL.(LOOSELEAF)
Biology
ISBN:9781305967359
Author:STARR
Publisher:CENGAGE L
Text book image
Biology 2e
Biology
ISBN:9781947172517
Author:Matthew Douglas, Jung Choi, Mary Ann Clark
Publisher:OpenStax
Text book image
Biology: The Unity and Diversity of Life (MindTap...
Biology
ISBN:9781337408332
Author:Cecie Starr, Ralph Taggart, Christine Evers, Lisa Starr
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
An Illustrated Guide To Vet Med Term
Biology
ISBN:9781305465763
Author:ROMICH
Publisher:Cengage
Text book image
Biology: The Unity and Diversity of Life (MindTap...
Biology
ISBN:9781305073951
Author:Cecie Starr, Ralph Taggart, Christine Evers, Lisa Starr
Publisher:Cengage Learning