H.

Ascent of SAP
Once the water is absorbed by the root hairs, it is translocated to various parts of the plant. The fluid that moves upward in the stem is not pure water. It is a dilute solution of mineral ions absorbed from the soil and is referred to as sap. The process of translocation of sap from the roots to the tap of the plant is called ASCENT OF SAP. OR The upward movement of water with dissolved minerals from the roots to the aerial parts of the plant through the stem is called ASCENT OF SAP.

H.1. Path of Conduction of Water

The water is conducted upwards by tracheary elements of xylem i.e. tracheids and vessels. In young herbaceous plants almost all the tracheary elements participate in this process but in large woody trees the tracheary elements of only sap wood are functional. Following expt. shows that the ascent of sap takes place through tracheary elements.

H.1.1. Experiment to show that the water is conducted through the tracheary elements of Xylem.
Girdling or Ringing: It was first introduced by Malpighi. Stephen Hales was the first to prove by ringing experiment that xylem was sole path for ascent of sap from roots to the leaves. It consists of removing a ring of bark i.e. all the tissues outside vascular cambium including the vital vascular tissue of phloem. It is done as follows: 2 small twigs or branches are taken. Girdle, or a ring of bark is removed from one of these branches by a sharp knife. In the second twig, xylem is removed by careful manipulation without causing much injury to the bark, or the xylem is blocked with wax or grease.

 Thus, the girdled part of the first twig contains only xylem and that of the second twig has all tissues except xylem. Both the twigs are placed in separate beakers containing water. After some time leaves on the first twig appear turgid while on the second twig with no xylem, the leaves droop. The leaves appear turgid in the first case because these continue to receive water in the presence of xylem. In the second twig, leaves wilt because there is no conduction of water due to absence or blocked xylem elements. Thus, this expt. shows that water is conducted through tracheary elements of Xylem.

Expt. Showing path of ascent of sap using Eosin.

A dilute solution of Eosin (red dye) is taken in a beaker in which a Balsam twig is placed. After some time the veins of the leaves appear red and some parts of stem becomes pink. A section of the stem or a petiole shows that only the xylem elements have taken the stain indicating that the solution (water) moves through xylem. It is thus estd that the water is conducted through tracheary elements of xylem i.e. trachea and vessels. These are dead cells with lignified secondary wall. The lumen of these elements allows an easy upward flow of water.

H.2. Mechanism of Ascent of SAP

To explain mechanism of Ascent of Sap various theories has been put forward like: 1). Root Pressure Theory 2). Capillary Theory 3). Transpirational Pull Theory

H.2.1. Root Pressure Theory

According to this theory, the root pressure developed in xylem vessels pushes up water to leaves and branches in herbs. This theory is not applicable in case of tall plants.

H.2.2. Capillary Theory

This theory explains that the xylem and tracheids occur in the form of thin capillaries, thus xylem capillaries apply a physical force which helps in ascent of sap. This theory may be possible up to some extent in small plants. The Ascent of Sap in tall plants is not possible by this force.

H.2.3. Transpirational Pull Theory

This theory was proposed by DIXON and JOLY (1894). Also termed as Cohesion-Tension Theory because of the main forces behind the ascent of sap are cohesion and tension of water molecules. The main characters of this theory are: 1). Continuous Water Column: A continuous column of water exists from root to leaves through stem mainly in tracheary elements. Even if a few tracheary elements get blocked, the other maintain the continuity of the column.

2). Cohesion: Water molecules stick together by a strong force of attraction called cohesion or cohesive force. This mutual attraction is due to the presence of H-bonds between adjacent water molecules. 3). Adhesion: Water molecules also stick to walls of Xylem vessels due to attraction. This is called adhesion or adhesive force. Cohesion and Adhesion ensures that the water column is not broken. broken.

4). Development of Transpirational Pull: Mesophyll tissue is present in leaves. The intercellular spaces amongst mesophyll cells of leaves is always saturated with water vapour. These spaces come in contact with outside air through stomatal opening. Since the outside air is rarely saturated with water vapour. The vapour from the intercellular spaces diffuses out by Transpiration. The mesophyll cells then absorb moisture from deeper cells to overcome this loss of moisture. This creates the pull (tension) in the water column through stem to the roots. Since the column is continuous it is pulled up like a rope due to this tension. Thus, when water transpires from leaves it pulls the water molecules of the column upwards and water is able to rise up inside the plant. This pull is referred to as Transpirational pull.

Facts
Root pressure is absent in gymnosperms (some of the tallest trees are gymnosperms). Maximum root pressure recorded in plants is 2 to 3 bars which is sufficient to raise the water column to a height of 21 metre only.