NEET BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -It is a living tissue, which is responsible for transporting food and other organic materials. Xylem generally consists of dead cells (parenchyma is the only living cell present in the xylem).

Detailed explanation-2: -Phloem consists of living cells. The cells that make up the phloem are adapted to their function: Sieve tubes – specialised for transport and have no nuclei .

Detailed explanation-3: -Except for phloem fibres, all phloem components are alive. Because food is transported by active transport, which requires energy, the majority of phloem parts are alive and not dead like Xylem.

Detailed explanation-4: -All tissues in the xylem except the xylem parenchyma are dead. Their cytoplasm is highly reduced and they only perform the function of conduction. The xylem tissues also lack cell organelles. Therefore, they are considered dead.

Detailed explanation-5: -The phloem is composed of sieve tubes, companion cells, phloem parenchyma and fibres. The fibres are the dead sclerenchymatous cells in the phloem responsible for mechanical support. These cells are considered as non-living component of phloem.