AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -xylem, plant vascular tissue that conveys water and dissolved minerals from the roots to the rest of the plant and also provides physical support. Xylem tissue consists of a variety of specialized, water-conducting cells known as tracheary elements.

Detailed explanation-2: -Abstract. 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. The water-conducting function of xylem is one of the major distinguishing features of vascular plants.

Detailed explanation-3: -Xylem transports water, minerals, and nutrients from the soil to all the plant parts. There are two types of “transport” tissues in plants-xylem and phloem. Water and solutes are transported by the xylem from the roots to the leaves, and food is transported from the leaves to the rest of the plant by the phloem.

Detailed explanation-4: -The xylem is also composed of elongated cells. Once the cells are formed, they die. But the cell walls still remain intact, and serve as an excellent pipeline to transport water from the roots to the leaves. A single tree will have many xylem tissues, or elements, extending up through the tree.

Detailed explanation-5: -Answer: Functions of xylem: (i) To carry water and mineral salts upwards from the root to different parts of shoots. (ii) To provide mechanical support to the plant as the walls of tracheids, vessels, and fibres of xylem are lignified.