The Balance and Importance of Water
Water is extremely important for all plants as it enables them to survive. Therefore many plants have made adaptations which help to balance the amount of water in their cells as well as minimise the amount of water lost.
Since plants are autotrophs, they make their own food therefore are able to do so via photosynthesis. The equation for photosynthesis (pictured) is carbon dioxide + water -> glucose + oxygen.The glucose made during photosynthesis is the sugar plants use to create energy. Without glucose, the plant would have no energy therefore the plant would not be able to carry out any life process and would die. Therefore water is essential for a plant as without it, photosynthesis among other life processes.
Because of the importance of water to a plant, they must maintain a balance of water, however they face the issue of transpiration. This is because evaporation from a plant’s stomata and leave causes the water to travel up the plant to replace any lost molecules which is a result of cohesion as water molecules are attracted to one another and stay together in a chain when water evaporates from a plant’s stem and leaves. When this happen more molecules are pulled up to fill the space where water has been lost from evaporation. As a result of this, plants are often losing water.
Water also helps maintain some plant’s structure as plants lack skeletons. Water enters a plant’s cell walls and vacuoles, making them turgid and firm. This helps to stand the plant up and keep it upright. For some plants, for example hydrophytes, water surrounds them as they live in aquatic habitats. The water surrounding the plant supports it.
Besides photosynthesis, water also keeps cells moist which allows for gases to be exchanged, for example carbon dioxide which is a reactant in photosynthesis. Furthermore water also helps transport important nutrients in and around the plant, helping to keep the plant functioning as it ensures the plant receives these essential nutrients it needs for survival.
Since plants are autotrophs, they make their own food therefore are able to do so via photosynthesis. The equation for photosynthesis (pictured) is carbon dioxide + water -> glucose + oxygen.The glucose made during photosynthesis is the sugar plants use to create energy. Without glucose, the plant would have no energy therefore the plant would not be able to carry out any life process and would die. Therefore water is essential for a plant as without it, photosynthesis among other life processes.
Because of the importance of water to a plant, they must maintain a balance of water, however they face the issue of transpiration. This is because evaporation from a plant’s stomata and leave causes the water to travel up the plant to replace any lost molecules which is a result of cohesion as water molecules are attracted to one another and stay together in a chain when water evaporates from a plant’s stem and leaves. When this happen more molecules are pulled up to fill the space where water has been lost from evaporation. As a result of this, plants are often losing water.
Water also helps maintain some plant’s structure as plants lack skeletons. Water enters a plant’s cell walls and vacuoles, making them turgid and firm. This helps to stand the plant up and keep it upright. For some plants, for example hydrophytes, water surrounds them as they live in aquatic habitats. The water surrounding the plant supports it.
Besides photosynthesis, water also keeps cells moist which allows for gases to be exchanged, for example carbon dioxide which is a reactant in photosynthesis. Furthermore water also helps transport important nutrients in and around the plant, helping to keep the plant functioning as it ensures the plant receives these essential nutrients it needs for survival.