Plants:
1. Absorption: In plants, water and minerals are absorbed from the soil by the roots. Root hairs, root cortex, and endodermis are the cell layers responsible for this process.
2. Xylem Transport: Absorbed water and minerals move up the stem through the xylem tissue in a process called transpiration. Transpiration occurs when water evaporates from leaves, creating a negative pressure that pulls water and dissolved minerals up.
3. Phloem Transport: Sugars produced through photosynthesis in leaves are transported to different parts of the plant through phloem tissue. This process is called translocation. Sucrose is the main sugar transported through the phloem, and it moves from areas of high concentration (source, usually leaves) to areas of low concentration (sinks, such as growing shoots, roots, and flowers).
Animals:
1. Digestion: Food is broken down into simpler molecules in the digestive system through mechanical and chemical processes. Mechanical digestion involves physically breaking down food into smaller pieces by chewing, churning, and grinding. Chemical digestion involves the action of enzymes that break down complex carbohydrates, proteins, and fats into simpler sugars, amino acids, and fatty acids.
2. Absorption: Digested nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream through the walls of the small intestine. The small intestine has finger-like projections called villi, which increase the surface area for absorption.
3. Circulatory System: Once absorbed into the bloodstream, nutrients are transported throughout the body by the circulatory system. The heart pumps blood, carrying nutrients and oxygen to cells and tissues.
4. Cellular Uptake: Cells take up nutrients from the bloodstream through the process of cellular uptake. This process can involve passive diffusion, active transport, or facilitated diffusion.
The processes of nutrient transport in both plants and animals enable them to distribute essential substances to different parts of their bodies for growth, metabolism, and other physiological functions.