IGCSE Biology
2026 - 2028
Syllabus Checklist
Topic 8: Transport in Plants
1 Xylem and Phloem
State the functions of xylem
and phloem
:
▪ Xylem
– transport of water and mineral ions, and support.
▪ Phloem
– transport of sucrose and amino acids.
Identify in diagrams and images the position of xylem
and phloem
in roots, stems, and leaves of non-woody dicotyledonous plants.
2 Water Uptake
Identify in diagrams and images root hair cells
and state their functions.
State that the large surface area of root hairs
increases the uptake of water
and mineral ions
.
Outline the pathway of water
through a plant: root hair cells → root cortex cells → xylem → mesophyll cells.
Investigate, using a suitable stain, the pathway of water
through the above-ground parts of a plant.
3 Transpiration
Describe transpiration
as the loss of water vapour from leaves.
State that water evaporates from the mesophyll cells
into air spaces and diffuses out through stomata
as water vapour.
Explain how water vapour loss is related to the large internal surface area
of air spaces and the size and number of stomata
.
Explain how water moves upwards
in the xylem by transpiration pull
—a continuous column held together by forces between water molecules.
Explain how the rate of transpiration
is affected by varying temperature
, wind speed
, and humidity
.
Explain how and why wilting
occurs.
4 Translocation
Describe translocation
as the movement of sucrose
and amino acids
in phloem from sources
to sinks
.
Describe:
▪ Sources
– parts of the plant that release sucrose or amino acids.
▪ Sinks
– parts that use or store them.
Explain why some plant parts can act as a source
and a sink
at different times.
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