Vascular tissue is a type of plant tissue that is responsible for the transport of water, nutrients, and other substances throughout the plant. It is composed of two main types of cells: xylem and phloem.
Xylem is responsible for transporting water and minerals from the roots to the rest of the plant. It is composed of several types of cells including tracheids, vessel elements, fibers, and parenchyma cells. Tracheids and vessel elements are elongated cells that are responsible for the actual transportation of water and minerals.
Phloem is responsible for transporting nutrients, such as sugars, produced in the leaves through photosynthesis to the rest of the plant. It is composed of sieve tube elements, companion cells, fibers, and parenchyma cells. Sieve tube elements are the main cells responsible for transporting nutrients.
Here are some key points to remember about vascular tissue: