Class 8 Science - ICSE-BIOLOGY
Transportation in Plants and Animals
The chapter 'Transportation in Plants and Animals' explores how living organisms move essential substances like water, minerals, food, and oxygen to every part of their body. In plants, you will learn about vascular tissues—xylem and phloem—along with the crucial processes of absorption, transpiration, and translocation. In animals, particularly humans, the focus shifts to the circulatory system, including the structure and function of the heart, blood vessels (arteries, veins, capillaries), and blood components. Mastering this chapter is vital for ICSE Biology board exams as it forms the foundational understanding of human physiology and plant biology, frequently featuring in diagram-based and reasoning questions.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Xylem
A plant vascular tissue responsible for the upward transport of water and dissolved minerals from the roots to the leaves.
Phloem
A plant vascular tissue that transports manufactured food (sugar) from the leaves to all other parts of the plant.
Transpiration
The loss of water in the form of water vapour from the aerial parts of a plant, which creates a suction pull for water transport.
Circulatory System
An organ system in animals consisting of the heart, blood, and blood vessels that circulates nutrients, gases, and wastes.
Blood Composition
Fluid connective tissue made of plasma, red blood cells (carry oxygen), white blood cells (fight infection), and platelets (help in clotting).
Heart
A muscular organ that pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs and oxygenated blood to the rest of the body through its four chambers.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
This chapter typically carries around 6 to 8 marks in the ICSE Class 8 Biology examination. Common question types include labeling diagrams of the human heart or stomata, differentiating between xylem and phloem or arteries and veins, and giving scientific reasons for processes like transpiration pull.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do plants need a transport system?
Plants are large multicellular organisms with high energy needs. Since roots are far from leaves where food is made and water is absorbed, transport tissues are required to carry materials over long distances.
What is the main difference between arteries and veins?
Arteries carry oxygenated blood away from the heart (except the pulmonary artery) and have thick, elastic walls. Veins carry deoxygenated blood toward the heart and have thin walls with valves to prevent backflow.
How does water reach the top of tall trees?
Water reaches the top of tall trees through a 'transpiration pull'. As water evaporates from the leaves during transpiration, it creates a suction force that pulls water upward from the roots through the xylem.
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