describe the function of xylem write function of each component

Diagram of Xylem

 

Xylem transports water to the plants from the root to the leaves` it is one of the 2 types of transport tissue in vascular plants. The most distinctive xylem cells are the long tracheary elements that transport water. Tracheids and vessel elements are distinguished by the multitude of spots that occur on the vessel elements. In these spots both outer and inner walls are missing. The vessel elements are connected together into long tubes that are called vessels . there are two types of xylem primary and secondary Primary xylem is the xylem that is formed during primary growth from Procambium. Secondary xylem is the xylem that is formed during secondary growth from vascular cambium

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Xylem transports water from the roots to different parts of the plant while phloem is involved in the transport of food from the leaves to the rest of the plant.

Xylem comprises of the following:

* Xylem vessels and tracheids are tubular structures, which allow vertical transport of water and minerals. Vessel cells are continuous, while tracheids are discontinuous. They are both conductive tissues.

* Xylem parenchyma stores food and conducts water sideways.

* Xylem fibres are supportive in function.

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Xylem is an important plant tissue as it is part of the ‘plumbing’ of a plant.  Think of bundles of  pipes running along the main axis of stems and roots. It carries water and dissolved substances throughout and consists of a combination of parenchyma cells, fibers, vessels, tracheids and ray cells.  Long tubes made up of individual cells are the vessels, while vessel members are open at each end. Internally, there may be bars of wall material extending across the open space. These cells are joined end to end to form long tubes. Vessel members and tracheids are dead at maturity. Tracheids have thick secondary cell walls and are tapered at the ends. They do not have end openings such as the vessels. The tracheids ends overlap with each other, with pairs of pits present. The pit pairs allow water to pass from cell to cell. While most conduction in the xylem is up and down, there is some side-to-side or lateral conduction via rays. Rays are horizontal rows of long-living parenchyma cells that arise out of the vascular cambium. In trees, and other woody plants, ray will radiate out from the center of stems and roots and in cross-section will look like the spokes of a wheel.......

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xylem is mainly concerned with transport of nutrients,water minerals to all parts of the plants from the roots upwards in the plant due to the low pressure created at the top due to the suction of water .
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