Vascular tissue is an essential component of plants, responsible for the transport of water, nutrients, and sugars throughout the plant. There are two main types of vascular tissue: xylem and phloem.
Xylem is responsible for transporting water and minerals from the roots to the rest of the plant. It is made up of several types of cells, including tracheids, vessel elements, and parenchyma cells. Tracheids and vessel elements are long, tube-like cells that conduct water, while parenchyma cells provide support and storage.
Phloem is responsible for transporting sugars produced through photosynthesis from the leaves to other parts of the plant. It is composed of sieve tube elements, companion cells, phloem fibers, and phloem parenchyma. Sieve tube elements are responsible for the actual transport of sugars, while companion cells provide metabolic support.
Here are some key points to remember about vascular tissue: