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A specialised cell on the surface of a plant root with a long projection that increases its surface area for absorbing water and mineral ions.

A specialised plant cell with a long projection that provides a large surface area for absorbing water and mineral ions from the soil.

Plants need mineral ions for healthy growth. These ions are dissolved in the water between soil particles, but the soil solution may be very dilute: the concentration of a mineral ion can be lower in the soil than inside a root hair cell.

A specialised cell near the surface of a root that absorbs water and mineral ions from the soil.

When explaining mineral-ion uptake, compare the concentrations on the two sides of the root hair cell membrane. A large surface area alone does not explain movement against the gradient.

Keep the transport processes distinct: water enters root hair cells by osmosis, whereas mineral ions can enter by active transport.

When explaining a root hair cell adaptation, link the feature to its effect: the long projection gives a large surface area, so more water and mineral ions can be absorbed at once.

The cells that do much of this absorbing are root hair cells on the root surface.

A specialised epidermal cell on a young root whose long projection provides a large surface area for absorbing water and mineral ions from the soil.

Water enters root hair cells by osmosis, whereas mineral ions such as nitrate are commonly taken up by active transport.

A specialised cell near the surface of a plant root with a long projection that increases the area available to absorb water and mineral ions.

The cells that absorb these substances are root hair cells, found near the surface of young roots.

Root hair cell

Definition

How each exam board covers it

AQA GCSE Biology · 8461

Exam tips

Revise Biology with GradeGen

Edexcel GCSE Biology · 1BI0

OCR GCSE Biology A · J247

OCR GCSE Biology B · J257