Which statement correctly describes xylem tissue?

Which statement correctly describes xylem tissue?

• A. Absorb water and minerals from soil
• B. Carries sugar throughout plant; 2 directions
• C. Carries H2O UP from roots; one directional, dead hollow cells
• D. The main photosynthetic organs of vascular plants

Answer: (C)

Xylem tissue is specialized for transporting water and dissolved minerals from the roots up to the rest of the plant. Its conduits, formed by cells that are dead at maturity, are hollow and have thick, lignified walls that create a continuous tube for water to flow through. Water moves upward because of transpiration pulling on water in the leaves and the cohesion of water molecules along the column; this makes the transport effectively one-directional from roots toward the shoots. This contrasts with phloem, which distributes sugars from where they are produced to where they are used or stored and can move in multiple directions depending on need. It also clarifies why xylem is not the site of absorption from soil (that occurs mainly in root hairs) and not the main site of photosynthesis (that happens primarily in leaves).

Xylem tissue is specialized for transporting water and dissolved minerals from the roots up to the rest of the plant. Its conduits, formed by cells that are dead at maturity, are hollow and have thick, lignified walls that create a continuous tube for water to flow through. Water moves upward because of transpiration pulling on water in the leaves and the cohesion of water molecules along the column; this makes the transport effectively one-directional from roots toward the shoots. This contrasts with phloem, which distributes sugars from where they are produced to where they are used or stored and can move in multiple directions depending on need. It also clarifies why xylem is not the site of absorption from soil (that occurs mainly in root hairs) and not the main site of photosynthesis (that happens primarily in leaves).