Introduction
The movement of materials within the body tissues or between tissues in multicellular organisms like high plants and animals occurs in transport systems. In unicellular or low plants and animals, such movement is by the transport mechanisms of molecules within a transport medium by diffusion, osmosis, active transport and mass flow, among others.
In multicellular animals, the medium of transport is blood, while in plants, it is water in which the materials are dissolved and transported. In case of diseases such as diarrhoea, dysentery, malaria, etc, the animal body may
undergo dehydration. This causes serious effects on the body’s physiological process, which can lead to death. Just like dehydration in animals, in plants wilting or excess water loss results, especially during dry seasons or inadequate water supply or absorption by conducting tissues.
Animals and plants have specialised cells or tissues performing special functions of the transport systems apart from transporting materials.
Discuss the role of protection and support of the body structure, by the transport systems in animals and plants.
The major significance of these systems to the body has been greatly applied to economic development, for example by animal health service providers, in the construction industry using plant materials and in environmental
protection.

Background information

Transport involves the movement of materials from one part of the organism to another. In animals, it is basically the circulatory system. The system consists of the heart and blood vessels. Blood flow through the system is maintained by the heart, skeletal muscles, valves, and inspiratory movements. The heart is myogenic. Blood transports dissolved substances such as respiratory gases, water, food materials, etc.
In case of diseases such as malaria, diarrhoea and others, the body may lose blood together with water, leading to dehydration. This causes serious effects including dizziness and even death. This condition can be corrected
by administering dalose.

Explanatory note

Oral rehydration mixtures are used to boost the amount of water lost from the
body due to dehydration. Dehydration is a condition developed in patients
that have experienced illness, leading to low water amounts in blood fluid.
Rehydration helps to add water to the body so that transport of materials in
the body is efficient.