Plants need water and minerals to carry out essential processes such as photosynthesis, growth, and reproduction. These substances are absorbed by the roots and transported to the various parts of the plant through specialized tissues.


The xylem is the specialized tissue responsible for the transport of water and minerals from the roots to the leaves. It is made up of a series of interconnected tubes called vessels and tracheids. Water and minerals are transported in the xylem through a process called transpiration.


Transpiration is the process by which water is lost from the leaves of the plant in the form of water vapor. This loss of water creates a negative pressure in the xylem, which pulls water and minerals up from the roots. Transpiration is driven by the process of evaporation, which occurs when water molecules at the surface of the leaves are converted from liquid to vapor.


Root pressure is another mechanism by which water and minerals are transported in plants. This occurs when the concentration of solutes in the root cells is higher than that in the soil. This creates a pressure that pushes water and minerals up the xylem.


The phloem is the specialized tissue responsible for the transport of sugars and other organic molecules from the leaves to the other parts of the plant. Unlike the xylem, the phloem transports substances in both directions.


The pressure flow hypothesis explains the mechanism by which sugars are transported in the phloem. According to this hypothesis, sugars are loaded into the phloem cells at the source (usually the leaves) and then transported to the sink (usually the roots or developing fruits) through a process called translocation. This process is driven by the pressure gradient created by the difference in sugar concentration between the source and the sink.


In conclusion, water and minerals are transported in plants through the xylem and phloem tissues. The xylem transports water and minerals from the roots to the leaves through a process called transpiration, while the phloem transports sugars and other organic molecules in both directions through a process called translocation. These mechanisms are essential for the survival and growth of plants.

Water and minerals from roots to all other parts of the plant are transported by xylem

》Food prepared in the leaves is transported by phloem