Xylem Definition And Function

Phloem is the other type of transport tissue.

Xylem definition and function. They are the vascular tissues that transport substances throughout the plant. Xylem is non living conducting tissue. When this happens the primary xylem cells die and lose. They conduct water and dissolved salts from root to different parts of the plant.

The water conducting function of xylem is one of the major distinguishing features of vascular plants. The basic function of xylem is to transport water from roots to stems and leaves but it also transports nutrients. Xylem is one of the two types of transport tissue in vascular plants phloem being the other. The best known xylem tissue is wood though it is found throughout a plant.

The phloem is made up of living tissue which uses turgor pressure and energy in the form of atp to actively transport sugars to the plant organs such as the fruits flowers buds and roots. The xylem tissue moves water and nutrients to various parts of the plant such as shoots and leaves. Based on the stage and origin of growth a xylem may be classified as primary or secondary. The xylem transports water and minerals from the roots up the plant stem and into the leaves.

The word xylem is derived from the greek word ξύλον xylon meaning wood. Xylem definition a compound tissue in vascular plants that helps provide support and that conducts water and nutrients upward from the roots consisting of tracheids vessels parenchyma cells and woody fibers. Xylem formation begins when the actively dividing cells of growing root and shoot tips apical meristems give rise to primary xylem in woody plants secondary xylem constitutes the major part of a mature stem or root and is formed as the plant expands in girth and builds a ring of new xylem around the original primary xylem tissues. The other material that makes up the vascular plant transport system.

It transports sucrose and other nutrients throughout the plant xylem and phloem give vascular plants their classification. Phloem is the complex tissue which acts as a transport system for soluble organic compounds within vascular plants. Xylem is the specialised tissue of vascular plants that transports water and nutrients from the plant soil interface to stems and leaves and provides mechanical support and storage. Xylem is a type of tissue in vascular plants that transports water and some nutrients from the roots to the leaves.

In a mature flowering plant or tree most of the cells that make up the xylem are specialised cells.