Difference between Xylem and Phloem Tissues

Plants are classified based on many criteria, and one such classification is the presence or absence of a vascular system. Essentially, a vascular plant has specialized features that help it to absorb water and minerals from the soil. These include special tissues such as xylem and phloem.

Xylem and Phloem

Xylem and Phloem are two different types of vascular tissues which are mainly involved in the transportation process. These tissues form a vascular bundle, and these work together as a unit. The movement of xylem is unidirectional, while the movement of phloem is bidirectional.

 

Xylem Tissue:

Xylem is one of the important tissues of the vascular system of plants. The main activity of this tissue is to transport minerals and water from roots and carry them to other parts of the plants. It has two separate chambers, tracheids and vessels for transporting minerals and water. Xylem tissues are the tubular-shaped structure, with the absence of cross walls. This tissue resembles the shape of a star. It is located in the centre of the vascular bundle. Xylem fibres are small. They are present in roots, stems and leaves. These tissues move in a Unidirectional. (Only in one direction – upward direction). They live with hollow dead cells.

Function of Xylem Tissue:

Xylem Tissue transports soluble mineral nutrients and water molecules from the roots to the aerial parts of the plant. It provides mechanical strength to the plant and helps in strengthening the stem. It is responsible for replacing the total amount of lost water molecules through transpiration and photosynthesis.      

 

Phloem Tissue:

Phloem is also important as the xylem tissues for the vascular system of plants. The main activity of this tissue is to transport nutrients and food from leaves to other growing parts of plants. Phloem tissues are tubular-shaped, elongated, structures with the presence of walls with thin sieve tubes. It is located on the outer side of the vascular bundle. Phloem fibres are large. They are present in stems and leaves, which later transports and grow in roots, fruits and seeds.

 

Function of Phloem Tissue:

Transports food and other nutrients including sugar and amino acids from leaves to storage organs and growing parts of the plant. Translocate the synthesized sugars by the photosynthetic areas of plants to storage organs like roots, bulbs, and tubers. It is responsible for transporting proteins and mRNAs throughout the plant.