Question

Differentiate between phloem and xylem .

Answer 1

Dear student,

Xylem:

1. It is a dead complex permanent tissue. Sapwood is xylem and mostly alive
2. It is the principal water conducting tissue of vascular plants.
3. Xylem consists of tracheids , vessels , xylem parenchyma and xylem fibres. Also ray parenchyma Also the xylem of softwoods (Gymnospermae) do NOT contain vessels.

Phloem:

1. It is a living complex permanent tissue. Inner phloem is alive. Outer phloem is dead.
2. It is the principal food conducting tissue found in vascular plants. Actually only the first .2-.7mm of the phloem is functional in food transport. The rest is non-functioning
3. It consists of sieve cells , sieve tube elements , phloem parenchyma and phloem fibres. There are also phloem ray cells.

Regards