Question

State one structural feature of xylem vessels and explain how this is related to the function of water transport A) feature B) explanation.​

Answer 1

Xylem is a type of tissue in vascular plants that transports water and some nutrients from the roots to the leaves. Phloem is the other type of transport tissue; it transports sucrose and other nutrients throughout the plant. Xylem and phloem give vascular plants their classification; they are the vascular tissues that transport substances throughout the plant.

The main function of xylem is to transport water, and some soluble nutrients including minerals and inorganic ions, upwards from the roots to the rest of the plant. Xylem cells form long tubes that transport materials, and the mixture of water and nutrients that flows through the xylem cells is called xylem sap. These substances are transported through passive transport, so the process doesn’t require energy. The phenomenon that allows xylem sap to flow upwards against gravity is called capillary action. This occurs when surface tension makes liquid move upward. Water is also aided in moving up through the xylem by adhering to the xylem cells. However, it gets harder to work against gravity to transport materials as a plant grows taller, so xylem sets an upper limit on the growth of tall trees.