Mass flow is the movement of substances through the plant in a continuous stream. In the absorption and transport of mineral salts, mass flow occurs primarily through the process of transpiration and the movement of water in the xylem.
In roots, mineral salts are absorbed by the root hairs through active transport, facilitated diffusion, or mass flow. The mineral salts then move through the apoplast or symplast pathways towards the xylem vessels. Once in the xylem, the mineral salts are carried upwards through transpiration. Transpiration creates a negative pressure in the xylem, which pulls water and mineral salts up from the roots to the shoots.
As the mineral salts move upwards through the xylem, they are transported to the leaves where they are used for various physiological processes such as photosynthesis, protein synthesis, and enzyme activation. Any excess mineral salts are stored in storage tissues such as the stems or roots for later use.
Overall, mass flow plays a crucial role in the absorption and transport of mineral salts in plants, ensuring that essential nutrients are distributed throughout the plant for growth and development.
Describe mass flow about absorption and transport of mineral salts
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