Describe how water and food are transported in plants.

1. 1 · Open in one line. Plants have two conducting tissues: xylem for water and minerals, and phloem for food.
2. 2 · Water uptake by roots. Root cells take up ions; the concentration difference draws water in, and a water column is pushed up (root pressure).
3. 3 · Transpiration pull. Water evaporates through stomata; the suction pulls water up the xylem, the main force in the day.
4. 4 · Translocation of food. Sucrose is loaded into phloem using ATP; water enters; the pressure moves food to roots, fruits, seeds and buds.
5. 5 · Link to daily life. Transpiration cools leaves, which is why tree-lined streets feel cooler in an Indian summer.
6. 6 · Close in one line. So xylem moves water one way, up, while phloem moves food both ways, using energy.

Scoring tip: Write the answer in two parts, xylem first and then phloem. Use the words root pressure, transpiration pull and ATP.