Final answer:
The tissue responsible for transporting sugars and other solutes in plants is the phloem. It comprises sieve elements, which are the conducting cells, and supports the overall growth and maintenance of the plant.
Step-by-step explanation:
The vascular system within plants consists of two main types of tissue: xylem and phloem. The xylem is primarily responsible for the transport of water and nutrients from the roots to the rest of the plant. In contrast, the phloem is the tissue that transports sugars, proteins, and other solutes.
Phloem tissue includes sieve elements, which are the conducting cells that transport food (sugar dissolved in water) made in the leaves through the plant. The transportation function of phloem is crucial for the growth, storage, and overall maintenance of a plant's health.