Question

Xylem transports _____ from the _____ to the _____.

1) sugars : leaves : roots
2) sperm : antheridia : archegonia
3) pollen : anther : stigma
4) sugars : roots : leaves
5) water : roots : leaves
6) water : leaves : roots

Answer 1

Xylem transports water from the roots to the leaves. Xylem tissue is responsible for upwards water and mineral transport, aiding photosynthesis, and is composed of dead, lignified cells that facilitate this process through transpirational pull.

Step-by-step explanation:

In plants, vascular tissues consist of two main types, xylem and phloem. The xylem is responsible for the transport of water and dissolved minerals from the roots, where it is absorbed, to the rest of the plant, including the leaves. This upward transport supports various functions, such as delivering the water necessary for photosynthesis in the leaves, maintaining cell turgidity for structure, and cooling the plant through transpiration.

In contrast, the phloem transports organic materials, such as the sugars produced by photosynthesis in the leaves, to different parts of the plant where they are needed, which can be either upward or downward. Xylem tissue is composed of dead cells with thick, lignin-reinforced walls, making them ideal for transporting water. This system works in tandem with transpiration, where water evaporates from the leaves, creating a pull that draws up more water through the xylem vessels, known as the transpirational pull.