How does water move through plants?

Unit Standards 5.L.4B.1 Analyze and Interpret data to explain how organisms obtain their energy and classify organisms as producers, consumers (including herbivore, carnivore, and omnivore), or decomposers (such as Fungi, Bacteria insects and molds). 5.L.4B.2 Develop and use models of food chains and food webs to describe the flow of energy in an ecosystem. 5.L.4B.3 Construct explanations for how organisms interact with each other in an ecosystem (including predators and prey, and parasites and hosts). 5.L.4B.4 Construct scientific arguments to explain how limiting factors (including food, water, space, and shelter) or newly introduced organisms can affect an ecosystem.

How does water move through plants? Roots absorb water and minerals from the soil. The stems and leaves transport the water and minerals throughout the plant.

How does water move through plants? Several forces work together to move water through a plant. Pressure builds up in the roots and forces water to move upward into the stems.

How does water move through plants? In small plants root pressure alone can move water all the way through the plant. However, in most plants root pressure is not enough to push water through tall stems and into leaves. Forces that pull the water upward are needed as well.

How does water move through plants? Capillary action is one force that pulls water up into plants. Water molecules stick to one another and to other substances, such as glass, cloth, cells, and soil.

How does water move through plants? You can observe capillary action by dipping the corner of a paper towel into a glass of water. The water will appear to climb up the paper towel.

How does water move through plants? The other force that pulls water upward through a plant caused by evaporation.

How does water move through plants? Transpiration- is the loss of water from plants leaves.

How does water move through plants? The water in the plant travels up through the veins of the leaves, and then it evaporates into the atmosphere through the stomata. As the plant loses water, more water moves into the plant cells to take the place of the water that has been lost.

How does water move through plants? These three forces- root pressure, capillary action, and transpiration work together to keep water moving through the parts of the plant. These forces help the plant carry out photosynthesis and keep it from wilting.