Functions of Xylem and Phloem

The following are the functions of xylem and phloem:

Xylem

  • The xylem is mainly responsible for water distribution
  • It is responsible for mineral absorption by the roots

Phloem

  • Food moves to other parts of the plant through the phloem. The process of transferring food is known as “translocation.” Plants use the phloem to transport carbohydrates to the parts of the plant where needed.
  • In addition to carbohydrates, it also translocates amino acids and other compounds and distributes them primarily to roots, fruit, seeds, storage organs and growth organs. Sieve tubes with the help of nearby partner cells transport food and substances both upward and downward.
  • The movement of materials like sucrose into the phloem tissue requires energy from ATP. This process increases the solute pressure in the tissue wich causes water to move into it. The resulting tension helps move the material in the phloem to tissues with lower pressure.

Vascular Tissue : Xylem and Phloem

Xylem and Phloem represent two distinct types of vascular tissues primarily engaged in transportation. The xylem exhibits unidirectional movement, whereas the phloem demonstrates bidirectional movement. Vascular tissues in plants are complex conducting tissues composed of various cell types and elements. Xylem and Phloem are vascular plant tissues.

Xylem plays a crucial role in transporting minerals and water from the soil to the plants. On the other hand, phloem is a vascular tissue responsible for distributing sugars and nutrients produced in the shoot of plants. In this article, we will read about Vascular tissues- xylem and phloem, their functions and differences.

Table of Content

  • What is Vascular Tissue?
  • An Overview of Vascular Tissue
  • What is Xylem?
  • What is Phloem?
  • Functions of Xylem and Phloem
  • Difference between Xylem and Phloem
  • Vascular Cambium
  • Cork Cambium

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What is Vascular Tissue?

Vascular tissues in higher plants are complex conducting structures composed of various cell types and elements. Xylem and Phloem are the two main components of plant vascular tissue. These tissues play a crucial role in transporting water and nutrients within the plant. Moreover, vascular tissues are linked to two meristems: cork cambium and vascular cambium. These are responsible for secondary growth in plants. The collective action of the xylem, phloem, cork cambium, and vascular cambium forms the vascular tissue system of plants....

An Overview of Vascular Tissue

The following is an overview of vascular tissue:...

What is Xylem?

The xylem is a vascular tissue in terrestrial plants mainly responsible for water distribution and mineral absorption by the roots. It is a crucial part of wood. The tracheary components of xylem tissue are specialized cells that conduct water. Xylem formation begins when cells divide in growing roots and shoot tips, leading to the creation of primary xylem tissues. In woody plants, the majority of a mature stem or root is composed of a secondary xylem. The production of a ring of new xylem around the primary xylem makes the plant wider....

What is Phloem?

The phloem is a vascular tissue which is mainly responsible for the distribution of food and minerals throughout the plant. The phloem mainly distributes sugars and nutrients produced in the leaves to other parts of the plant. It helps transport food made during photosynthesis to different plant areas. Phloem tissues include specialized cells like phloem fibres, sieve elements and phloem parenchyma cells. All vascular plants have phloem....

Functions of Xylem and Phloem

The following are the functions of xylem and phloem:...

Difference between Xylem and Phloem

Xylem and phloem is the vascular tissue found in plants. The main difference between the xylem and phloem is xylem transports water and minerals and the phloem transports food and nutrients to different parts of the plant....

Vascular Cambium

Vascular cambium is a tissue found in plant roots and stems that controls secondary growth. This tissue is found in the space between the plant’s phloem and xylem. Being a secondary meristem, the vascular cambium forms after the tissues of the main plant body have undergone differentiation. The vascular cambium is the primary growth tissue in the stems and roots of many plants, including...

Cork Cambium

Cork cambium is a tissue found in the epidermis in vascular plants. Cork and phelloderm cells are produced by a single-cell layer of cells. It can be discovered in the trunks and stems of woody plants, including gymnosperms and angiosperms. The phellogen is another name for the cork cambium. It is the source of the periderm, a protective tissue that grows in place of the epidermis when the parent plant body’s epidermis is eventually destroyed by secondary growth....

Conclusion – Vascular Tissue: Xylem and Phloem

Plant tissues are classified into simple and complex. Complex plant tissues are further categorized into xylem and phloem. The xylem transports water and other liquids throughout the plant while the phloem aids in moving food and minerals. All vascular plants have phloem. Both xylem and phloem are essential for the survival of plants. Secondary meristems which are formed in stems and roots includes cork cambium and vascular cambium. Cork cambium is a lateral meristem and vascular cambium is a cylindrical secondary meristem....

FAQs on Vascular Tissue

What is the Difference between the Xylem and the Phloem functioning?...