Name: Mineral Nutrition in Plants
Uploaded: 2019-07-19
Duration: 18 min 21 s
Description: Do only humans need minerals in their diet? No, even plants require different types of minerals. These minerals are grouped as macro and micro-nutrients.

Question

Describe the structure of xylem tissue and phloem tissue with its function.

Accepted Answer

Xylem: Xylem is also known as wood. It is vascular and mechanical tissue. Xylem cells are thick-walled, they are found in the form of tubular passages. Xylem consists of four types of cells called xylem elements. They are:

Tracheids,

Vessels or Tracheae,

Xylem or wood parenchyma,

Xylem sclerenchyma or wood fibres.

Functions of Xylem:
The main function of the xylem is the upward movement of water and dissolved minerals (ascent of sap) from the roots to different parts of the shoots.
Tracheids, vessels and xylem sclerenchyma provide mechanical strength to the plant body.
Xylem parenchyma stores food and helps in the conduction of water.

Phloem: Phloem is a living conducting or vascular tissue. It contains tubes, like a xylem, but performs no mechanical function. Phloem consists of four elements or cells. They are:

Sieve tubes,

Companion cells,

Phloem parenchyma, and

Phloem fibres

Functions of Phloem :

Phloem helps in the transportation of organic food (photosynthesised by the leaves) to all the parts of the plant.

Phloem parenchyma helps in the lateral conduction and storage of food.

Phloem fibres are used for making ropes and rough cloth.

Describe the structure of xylem tissue and phloem tissue with its function.

Important Questions on Transport of Food and Minerals In Plants

Learn and Prepare for any exam you want !