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๐ฌ Think about it
Put a white flower in red ink water and wait a day. The petals turn red! Something carried the colour up the stem. Let us find the hidden pipes that move water inside a plant.
How do water and minerals move up a plant?
- Water and minerals move up from the roots.
- They travel through thin tube-like structures.
- These tubes are called the xylem.
- The xylem is present in the stem, branches, and leaves.
Example:
A white-flowered twig kept in red ink water has red flowers the next day, because the xylem carried the water up.
In this Activity, we will use red ink water to see how water moves up the stem of a plant.
Materials needed
Two glass tumblers, water, red ink, and twigs of two similar tender plants with white flowers (like white sadabahar or balsam).
Procedure
1. Label two tumblers A and B and fill each one-third with water.
2. Add a few drops of red ink to tumbler B.
3. Cut the stems of both plants obliquely at the base inside water.
4. Place one plant in each tumbler.
5. Observe the plants the next day.
6. Cut the upper stem and view it with a magnifying glass.
2. Add a few drops of red ink to tumbler B.
3. Cut the stems of both plants obliquely at the base inside water.
4. Place one plant in each tumbler.
5. Observe the plants the next day.
6. Cut the upper stem and view it with a magnifying glass.
Observation
The plant in red water shows red colour in its stem, leaves, and flowers. The cut stem shows red inside.
Explanation
The red ink moved up through tube-like structures called the xylem. So water and minerals move up the stem through the xylem.
โ Summary
- Twig in red water
- Flowers turned red
- Red seen inside stem
- Xylem carries water up
Important Points
- The xylem carries water and minerals upward.
- It runs through the stem, branches, and leaves.
โ Test Yourself
-
What does the xylem carry?
View Answer
Water and minerals from the roots. -
Which way does the xylem carry water?
View Answer
Upward, from the roots to all parts of the plant. -
Why did the white flowers turn red?
View Answer
The red ink water rose up through the xylem. -
Where is the xylem found?
View Answer
In the stem, branches, and leaves. -
Why cut the stem obliquely in water?
View Answer
To help the twig take up water easily without air blocking it.
Important Definitions
- Xylem — the thin tube-like structure that carries water and minerals from the roots to all parts of the plant.
๐ NCERT Question 9 — Design an experiment to
Design an experiment to observe if water transportation in plants is quicker in warm or cold conditions.
View Answer →
