Question

A magnified cross-sectional view of a horsetail stem shows the tube-shaped cells of xylem. What is their function?

Answer 1

The xylem cells in a horsetail stem transport water and minerals from the roots to the stems and leaves, forming an essential part of the plant's vascular system.

Step-by-step explanation:

The tube-shaped cells of xylem in a horsetail stem, as seen in magnified cross-sectional views, serve a critical function in the plant. The xylem's main role is to transport water and dissolved minerals from the roots throughout the plant. This includes moving these vital substances up to the stems and leaves. The xylem tissue is composed of dead cells that have thick walls reinforced with lignin, which makes them effective at transporting water as their rigid structure can withstand the pressures involved. Though the cells are dead, they are essential to the plant's vascular system, which also includes phloem tissue responsible for transporting organic compounds.

Answer 2

The xylem is the structure of the plant that is responsible for transporting water from the ground up to the different parts of the plant. It is composed water, inorganic ions, and a number of organic chemicals.

Xylem tissue is found throughout the plant because not only does it transport water, but it also transports the nutrients that the plant needs for different processes. Aside from being responsible for the transportation of materials, the xylem is also used to replace water that was lost during photosynthesis and transpiration.