Final answer:
Vascular tissue is the plant tissue that transports water and dissolved substances throughout the plant and supports the stem, consisting of xylem and phloem.
Step-by-step explanation:
The plant tissue that transports water and dissolved substances inside the plant and helps support the stem is the vascular tissue. This system includes two major types of cells: xylem and phloem. Xylem cells are primarily responsible for the upward movement of water and minerals from the roots to the rest of the plant, while phloem cells transport sugars and other organic nutrients produced by photosynthesis to all parts of the plant. Vascular tissue not only plays a critical role in the transportation of fluids but also provides structural support to the plant body.
Unlike dermal tissue, which covers the outside of a plant and mediates interactions with the environment, or ground tissue, which is responsible for photosynthesis, food storage, and basic metabolic functions, vascular tissue is specialized for fluid transport. The bundles of xylem and phloem that comprise the vascular tissue run through the ground tissue and are essential for the plant's growth, nutrient distribution, and stability.