Question

The cells in vascular and nonvascular plants are both able to get water, but nonvascular plants have different methods than vascular plants. How do these differences affect the height of the plants? In three to five sentences, explain this and be sure to describe how each type of plant gets water to its cells.(4 points)

Answer 1

Nonvascular plants (like mosses) absorb water directly across their surfaces and move it between cells by diffusion, osmosis, and capillary action in a thin film of moisture, so they must stay low and near wet habitats. Vascular plants have roots that take up water and specialized xylem vessels that transport water long distances to leaves using capillary action and the transpiration pull, and lignified tissues that provide support. Because diffusion and surface absorption are slow and can't move water far or support tall stems, nonvascular plants stay short. The efficient long-distance transport and structural support in vascular plants let them grow much taller.