Question

If all the tissue of a plant to certain points are removed except the xylem, which is left intact?

• A. The leaves will wilt.
• B. The stem will die first.
• C. The roots will die first.
• D. The whole plant will die at the same time.

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

The roots will die first.

In vascular plants, xylem tissue is concerned with transportation of water and minerals. The phloem tissue is concerned with transportation of sugars. If xylem is intact this means water and minerals are transported unhindered from roots to aerial parts. But, if other tissue like phloem are removed it means sugars cannot be transported from aerial parts to roots. Consequently, the roots will be starved and die first as they are non photosynthetic and depend on aerial parts for food (sugar), ultimately the whole plant will die.

Therefore, the correct answer is option C.