Content Writer-SME | Updated On - Nov 11, 2024
The difference between Xylem and Phloem depends upon the vascular tissues that are primarily engaged in the transportation process in the plants. These tissues together forms a vascular bundle that functions as a single unit. The movement of the xylem is unidirectional, but the flow of the phloem is bidirectional. A vascular plant, in general, has characteristics that aid in the absorption of water and nutrients from the soil.
Difference between Xylem and Phloem
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Here are some major differences between xylem and phloem mentioned below in a tabular form:
| Xylem | Phloem |
|---|---|
| Xylem are tube shaped structure that do not contain cross walls. | Phloem are tube shaped structured that consists of cross walls. |
| The vascular bundle's xylem is found in the centre. | The vascular bundle's phloem is found on the outside. |
| Plant xylem is a complex tissue that aids in the movement of water and nutrients throughout the plant. | Plant phloem is a living tissue in plants that aids in the movement of food and other materials. |
| Fibres, xylem vessels, and tracheids make up the xylem. | Phloem fibres, phloem parenchyma, sieve cells, sieve tubes, and companion cells make up phloem. |
| It provides mechanical assistance. | It does not provide any mechanical assistance. |
| The xylem is a one-way tube. | Phloem is a bidirectional vascular system. |
| Both water and minerals are transported from the roots via this tissue. | It assists in the transfer of food created by the plant's green sections. |
| The majority of the plant's body is contained in these tissues. | This is a tiny part of the plant's anatomy. |
| The xylem's conducting cells have died. | The phloem's conducting cells are alive. |
Xylem and Phloem
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Xylem and phloem are different types of vascular tissues that are used in the process of transportation. These tissues will work together after the formation of vascular bundles.
- The xylem and phloem are found throughout the plant as they start from the root and then move up to the stem, branches, and leaves.
- These tissues are important for the survival of the plant.
- Each part of the plants requires water and food.
- Xylem transfers food and water from roots to stems.
- On the other hand, phloem transfers important components from leaves where the photosynthesis takes place.
Xylem Tissues
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Xylem is an essential tissue of the vascular system that is used for transporting minerals and water from roots to other parts of the plants. The cells of this tissue prefer to create lengthy tubes that carry the materials.
- In addition, xylem sap is a combination of water and nutrients that flow through xylem cells.
- Both of these chemicals are transported via passive transport, which requires no energy.
The capillary action is a phenomenon that aids in the upward movement of xylem sap in the face of gravitational force. Additionally, the action occurs when the liquid has a tendency to flow higher due to surface tension.
- Furthermore, when the xylem attaches to the xylem cells, it aids in the flow of water.
- Different types of cells can be found in this tissue.
- Tracheids are also lengthy cells that aid in the movement of xylem sap while also providing structural support.
- The vessel components, on the other hand, are significantly shorter and aid in water conduction.
- Furthermore, it comprises of parenchyma, which is a tissue that mostly houses the plant's softer components.
Xylem Tissues
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| Relevant Concepts | ||
|---|---|---|
| Tissue | Anatomy Of Flowering Plant | Transportation In Plant |
Phloem Tissues
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Phloem is another important tissue of the vascular system that helps in the transfer of the photoassimilates through the system of translocation, which is in the form of proteins and sucrose.
- This sort of movement may also be seen in the leaves as they travel to different regions of the plant.
- An osmotic gradient develops when there is a greater concentration of organic molecules inside the cells.
- Additionally, water is passively pulled out of the neighbouring xylem.
- A strong turgor pressure is generated inside the phloem, and a sugar solution forms, causing vital chemicals to flow across the plant.
- Phloem structures include sieve tubes, sieve cells, parenchyma, sclerenchyma, and companion cells.
Phloem Tissues
Things to Remember
- The xylem and phloem are two types of vascular tissues that help in the transportation process of the nutrients and water.
- In phloem, photoassimilates transfer through translocation mechanisms.
- Vascular plants enable both the tissues to absorb water and minerals from the soil.
- In the xylem, sap moves through a capillary action mechanism.
- The components of phloem work together to assist the conduction of sugars and amino acids.
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Sample Questions
Ques: What is the location of the xylem and phloem? (1 mark)
Ans: The xylem is found on the leaf's adaxial surface, whereas the phloem is located on the leaf's abaxial surface.
Ques: What are the xylem and phloem's functions? (1 mark)
Ans: Water, nutrients, and food are transported throughout the plant through xylem and phloem. From the roots to the leaves, xylem transports water and minerals. Phloem, on the other hand, transports the food created by the leaves to various sections of the plant.
Ques: Is it true that xylem cells are no longer alive? (1 mark)
Ans: A lengthy chain of dead cells known as vessel elements makes up xylem cells. Organelles do not exist in the vessel components. The components of xylem tissues are lignified and scalarified to a great degree. As a result, xylem cells are no longer alive.
Ques: Why are phloem cells still alive? (1 mark)
Ans: To allow the active movement of sucrose throughout the plant, the cells that make up the phloem tissues must be alive.
Ques: What are the Xylem and Phloem's similarities? (3 marks)
Ans: The xylem and phloem are comparable in the following ways:
- Xylem and phloem are complex tissues with several cell types.
- Both of these are components of the plant's vascular tissue system.
- They contain live and dead cells.
- Fibres are present in both of them.
- Parenchymatous cells make up both the xylem and the phloem.
- In the main vascular bundles, they are separated into proto and meta components.
Ques: Define Xylem. (1 mark)
Ans: Xylem is a kind of transport tissue found in vascular plants. This is persistent, complex, and dead tissue. The main job is to transport water and other nutrients to various sections of the plants.
Ques: What are the functions of xylem? (3 marks)
Ans: The functions of xylem are as follows:
- Xylem is used for transporting water and minerals by the process of pressure flow.
- The height of tall trees is constrained by this tissue.
- It is used for creating positive root pressure for plants.
- Xylem will create negative stress on plants, thus sucking water away from the soil.
Ques: What are the characteristics of phloem? (3 marks)
Ans: The characteristics of phloem are as follows:
- Phloem is responsible for making food tissue in plants.
- It serves as a vehicle for hormones and signalling molecules like mRNAs.
- The tissue provides protection against biotic and abiotic threats.
- It is used for storing numerous waste products like starch, calcium oxalate crystals, and tannins.
Ques: What are the types of xylem? (2 marks)
Ans: The two types of xylem are as follows:
- Primary Xylem: Primary xylem is a type of xylem that is created by the process of procambium development. It has thinner vessels and no tracheids.
- Secondary Xylem: Secondary xylem is a type of xylem that is created by vascular cambium and found in the gymnosperm communities.
Ques: What are the four elements of xylem? (4 marks)
Ans: The four elements of xylem are as follows:
- Tracheids: Tracheids is reponsible for carrying xylem sap and maintain the wood structure.
- Vessel: Vessel also known as vessel element which is used for lateral movement of solutes across adjacent conductive elements and transport xylem sap.
- Xylem Parenchyma: Xylem Parenchyma performs functions that are essential for wood and trees.
- Xylem Fiber: Xylem fiber is formed by dead cells with lignified walls and a central lumen.
Ques: What are the types of phloem? (2 marks)
Ans: The types of phloem are as follows:
- Primary Phloem: Primary phloem is produced by vascular plant's primary meristem and comes from the procambium during primary growth.
- Secondary Phloem: Secondary phloem is responsible for increasing plant width and contains a radial arrangement of phloem rays.
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