What is the process of xylem and phloem? With its definition and diagram?
Answers
Hi!
Xylem- Xylem is a transport tissue in plants which is responsible for transportation of water in plants.
Function:
The xylem conducts water and mineral nutrients from the soil to various organs of the plant where such materials are used to manufacture foods.
Process:
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.
Phloem- Phloem is a transport tissue which transport food materials to the plants.
Function:
The main function of phloem is to transport soluble organic materials to the vascular plants.
Process:
When there is a high concentration of organic substance (in this case sugar) within the cells, an osmotic gradient is created. Water is drawn passively from the adjacent xylem over the gradient to create a sugar solution and a high turgor pressure within the phloem. The high turgor pressure causes the water and sugars to move through the tubes of the phloem, in to the ‘sink tissues’ (e.g. the roots, growing tips of stems and leaves, flowers and fruits).
