AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -The Root System The roots of seed plants have three major functions: anchoring the plant to the soil, absorbing water and minerals and transporting them upwards, and storing the products of photosynthesis. Some roots are modified to absorb moisture and exchange gases. Most roots are underground.

Detailed explanation-2: -The xylem distributes water and dissolved minerals upward through the plant, from the roots to the leaves. The phloem carries food downward from the leaves to the roots.

Detailed explanation-3: -Vascular plants (tracheophytes) differ from the nonvascular bryophytes in that they possess specialized supporting and water-conducting tissue, called xylem, and food-conducting tissue, called phloem.

Detailed explanation-4: -They instead have multicelled, rootlike appendages called “rhizoids, ” which anchor the plants and take in water and minerals. Because rhizoids are less efficient than roots, mosses generally prefer damp places with low light.