Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Xylem and Transpiration-driven Transport of Resources

Xylem and Transpiration-driven Transport of Resources

The xylem of vascular plants distributes water and dissolved minerals that are taken up by the roots to the rest of the plant. The cells that transport xylem sap are dead upon maturity, and the movement of xylem sap is a passive process.

Short-distance Transport of Resources

Short-distance Transport of Resources

Short-distance transport refers to transport that occurs over a distance of just 2-3 cells, crossing the plasma membrane in the process. Small uncharged molecules, such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water, can diffuse across the plasma membrane on their own. In contrast, ions and larger molecules require the assistance of transport proteins due to their charge or size. Transport across membranes also occurs within individual cells, playing a variety of essential roles for the plant as a whole.

Propagation of Action Potentials

Propagation of Action Potentials

The propagation of an action potential refers to the process by which a nerve impulse, or "action potential," travels along a neuron.
Neurons (nerve cells) have a resting membrane potential, with a slightly negative charge inside compared to outside. This is maintained by ion channels, such as sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+) channels, which control the flow of ions. When a stimulus, like a touch or a signal from another neuron, triggers the neuron, sodium channels open, allowing sodium ions to...

The Apoplast and Symplast

The Apoplast and Symplast

Plant growth depends on its ability to take up water and dissolved minerals from the soil. The root system of every plant is equipped with the necessary tissues to facilitate the entry of water and solutes. The plant tissues involved in the transport of water and minerals have two major compartments - the apoplast and the symplast. The apoplast includes everything outside the plasma membrane of living cells and consists of cell walls, extracellular spaces, xylem, phloem, and tracheids. The...

Phloem and Sugar Transport

Phloem and Sugar Transport

Like many living organisms, plants have tissues that specialize in specific plant functions. For example, shoots are well adapted to rapid growth, while roots are structured to acquire resources efficiently. However, sugar production is primarily restricted to the photosynthetic cells that reside in the leaves of angiosperm plants. Sugar and other resources are transported from photosynthetic tissues to other specialized tissues by a process called translocation.

Water and Mineral Acquisition

Water and Mineral Acquisition

Specialized tissues in plant roots have evolved to capture water, minerals, and some ions from the soil. Roots exhibit a variety of branching patterns that facilitate this process. The outermost root cells have specialized structures called root hairs that increase the root surface, thus increasing soil contact. Water can passively cross into roots, as the concentration of water in the soil is higher than that of the root tissue. Minerals, in contrast, are actively transported into root cells.

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Tetramethylsilane Coordination to Neutral, Heavier Alkaline Earth Metal Complexes.

Inorganic chemistry·2026

Same author

A deep learning model captures position-specific preferences of plant regulatory sequences and suggests genes under complex regulation.

Plant physiology·2026

Same author

Magnesium(0) complexes and their reduction reactions with binary transition metal carbonyls.

Chemical science·2026

Same author

Development and validation of a DNA-launched, intron-stabilized Langat virus infectious clone and reporter viruses.

Virology·2026

Same author

Natural variation in Arabidopsis uncouples leaf and flower development and reveals massive transcriptomic heterochrony.

Journal of experimental botany·2026

Same author

Reduction of Nitrogen Oxides by Dimagnesium(I) Compounds.

Inorganic chemistry·2026

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 27, 2026

Xylem Water Distribution in Woody Plants Visualized with a Cryo-scanning Electron Microscope

Xylem Water Distribution in Woody Plants Visualized with a Cryo-scanning Electron Microscope

Published on: June 20, 2019

Chemical agents transported by xylem mass flow propagate variation potentials.

Matthew J Evans¹, Richard J Morris¹

¹Computational and Systems Biology, Crop Genetics, John Innes Centre, Colney Lane, Norwich, NR4 7UH, UK.

The Plant Journal : for Cell and Molecular Biology

|June 29, 2017

Summary

Plant variation potentials (VPs) are long-distance electrical signals. Our models suggest mass flow in the xylem, not pressure waves or diffusion, best explains VP propagation, aiding understanding of plant communication.

Keywords:

Arabidopsis electrical signals hydraulic waves slow wave potential systemic signalling variation potential wheat wounding xylem flow

More Related Videos

Collection and Analysis of Arabidopsis Phloem Exudates Using the EDTA-facilitated Method

Collection and Analysis of Arabidopsis Phloem Exudates Using the EDTA-facilitated Method

Published on: October 23, 2013

Author Spotlight: Direct Infusion Device for Molecule Delivery in Plants

Author Spotlight: Direct Infusion Device for Molecule Delivery in Plants

Published on: June 2, 2023

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Feb 27, 2026

Xylem Water Distribution in Woody Plants Visualized with a Cryo-scanning Electron Microscope

Xylem Water Distribution in Woody Plants Visualized with a Cryo-scanning Electron Microscope

Published on: June 20, 2019

Collection and Analysis of Arabidopsis Phloem Exudates Using the EDTA-facilitated Method

Collection and Analysis of Arabidopsis Phloem Exudates Using the EDTA-facilitated Method

Published on: October 23, 2013

Author Spotlight: Direct Infusion Device for Molecule Delivery in Plants

Author Spotlight: Direct Infusion Device for Molecule Delivery in Plants

Published on: June 2, 2023

Area of Science:

Plant Physiology
Biophysics
Cellular Communication

Background:

Long-distance signaling is crucial for plant environmental responses.
Variation potentials (VPs) are electrical signals triggered by wounding or flaming.
VP propagation differs from action potentials, suggesting unique mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate proposed mechanisms for variation potential (VP) propagation.
To compare model predictions with experimental data on VP speeds.
To identify the most likely mechanism for VP long-distance signaling in plants.

Main Methods:

Development of simple physical models for proposed VP propagation mechanisms.
Evaluation of models against independent experimental data.
Comparison of chemical diffusion, pressure waves, and mass flow hypotheses.

Main Results:

Models indicate chemical diffusion and pressure waves are unlikely VP propagation mechanisms.
Mass flow of chemical agents through the xylem accurately reproduces experimental VP speeds.
Parameters used in the mass flow model are consistent with known physiological values.

Conclusions:

Mass flow within the xylem is the most probable mechanism for VP propagation.
This finding challenges previous hypotheses and offers a new understanding of plant signaling.
Understanding VP transport is key to deciphering plant physiological coordination.