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What is the function of xylem?
Conduction of food
Conduction of protein
Conduction of water and minerals
Conduction of lipid
Conduction of water and minerals
Xylem is a complex permanent plant tissue responsible for the upward conduction of water and dissolved minerals from the roots to the stem, leaves, and other aerial parts of the plant.
Xylem is a complex permanent plant tissue responsible for the upward conduction of water and dissolved minerals from the roots to the stem, leaves, and other aerial parts of the plant.
Xylem acts like a natural straw or a hydraulic plumbing system that continuously pumps water and nutrients upward from the underground reservoir (soil) to the top of a skyscraper (tree canopy).
Remember 'XY-Z': Xylem transports water (hydro/zinc-level), while Phloem transports food (phood/food).
Transpiration┬аPull=Negative┬аpressure┬аpotential┬аgenerated┬аin┬аleaves
Water┬аPotential; (\Psi) = $Psi_{s} + \Psi_{p}$
The transport mechanism in xylem relies primarily on transpiration pull (suction pressure created by evaporation of water from leaves), root pressure, capillary action (adhesion and cohesion forces of water molecules), and the properties of dead, lignified tracheary elements (tracheids and vessels) that form continuous hollow tubes.
Xylem is a complex vascular tissue found in vascular plants.
It conducts water and minerals unidirectionally (from roots to shoots).
Phloem, on the other hand, is responsible for the bidirectional conduction of organic food.
Most cells in mature xylem tissue are dead and lignified for mechanical strength.
Provides mechanical rigidity and structural support to plant stems against gravity.
Ensures uninterrupted supply of water required for photosynthesis and turgidity.
Plant physiology studies and agricultural irrigation management
Forestry and timber industry (heartwood and sapwood analysis)
| Feature | Xylem | Phloem |
|---|---|---|
Primary Function | Conduction of water & minerals | Conduction of food (organic solutes) |
Direction of Flow | Unidirectional (Upward) | Bidirectional |
Cell Nature | Mostly dead cells (lignified) | Living cells (sieve tubes) |
Option A is incorrect because food conduction is performed by phloem.
Option B is incorrect as proteins and organic nutrients move through phloem sap.
Option D is incorrect because lipid transport is also a function of phloem/parenchyma, not xylem.
C is correct тАФ Xylem is the specialized plant vascular tissue responsible for the conduction of water and minerals from the roots to the rest of the plant.
Always differentiate between Xylem (Water/Minerals, Upward, Dead cells) and Phloem (Food, Bidirectional, Living cells) for RRB and SSC general science questions.
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