AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -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.

Detailed explanation-2: -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.

Detailed explanation-3: -xylem, plant vascular tissue that conveys water and dissolved minerals from the roots to the rest of the plant and also provides physical support.

Detailed explanation-4: -Xylem consists of tracheids, vessels, parenchyma, and fibers.

Detailed explanation-5: -Xylem is unidirectional; its job is to make sure water flows upward. However, phloem is bidirectional and transports food and nutrients to all of the plant. Mature xylem is made up of dead cells that do not have cell contents, while phloem contains living cells (albeit without nuclei).