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Xylem and Phloem

What are Xylem and Phloem

We know all living organisms need food and water for their growth and survival. Have you ever thought about how these nutrients are transported within the body of plants and animals? In animals, this function is performed by the circulatory system. Plants perform a similar function of transporting these nutrients — what we know as sap, by using complex tissues called xylem and phloem.

Xylem is the dead, permanent tissue that carries water and minerals from roots to all other parts of the plant. The term ‘xylem’ is derived from the Greek word ‘xylon’, meaning wood.

Phloem, on the other hand, is the living, permanent tissue that carries food and other organic nutrients from leaves to all other parts of the plant. The word ‘phloem’ is obtained from the Greek word ‘phloios’, meaning ‘bark’.

Xylem and Phloem

Together, these two make up the vascular tissues in plants, forming the vascular bundle. Most plants have multiple vascular bundles that form a connection between its different parts, including leaves, stems, and roots.

Xylem vs Phloem: Differences

BasisXylemPhloem
OccurrencePresent in roots, stems, and leaves.Initially present in stems and leaves that later grow in roots, fruits, and seeds
StructureTubular-shaped with absence of cross wallsElongated, tubular-shaped with thin-walled sieve tubes connected end to end
LocationFound in the center of the vascular bundleFound in the outer side of the vascular bundle.
Composed ofConsists mainly of tracheid and vessel elementsConsists mainly of sieve tubes, sieve cells, phloem parenchyma, fibers, and sclereids
QuantityConstitute the bulk of the vascular bundleConstitute a small portion of the vascular bundle
Nature of Cells– Made up of dead cells that are hollow from within with no cytoplasm and cell content. Parenchyma is the only living cell

Cell wall is thick and made of lignin

– Cells are impermeable to water  
– Made up of living cells with little cytoplasm and no nucleus.

– Fibers are the only dead cells Cell wall is thin and made of cellulose

– Cells are permeable to food
Direction of WorkUnidirectional – from roots to the apical parts of the plant through the stemBidirectional – both up and down the stem
Main Functions– Transporting water and mineral from the roots to all parts of the plant

Passive transport; does not require energy

– Replacing water lost through transpiration and photosynthesis

– Providing mechanical strength
– Transporting food from leaves to different parts of the plant

Active transport; requires energy

– Transporting proteins and mRNAs throughout the plant

– Does not provide mechanical strength

Similarities

  • Both xylem and phloem are complex conducting tissues composed of more than one type of cell.
  • Both are components of vascular tissues in plants that serve the purpose of transporting materials throughout the plant.
  • Living parenchymatous cells are found in both.
  • Dead cells called bast fibers surrounds both tissues.
  • Both primary and secondary growth periods are found in xylem and phloem.
  • Both develope from procambium that has not been wholly differentiated during primary xylem and primary phloem formation.

Combining the differences and similarities, we can conclude that both xylem and phloem have key features that help to maintain the transport of water, food, and minerals throughout the plant body.

Article was last reviewed on Friday, February 3, 2023

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