Question

They are pipe-like, consisting of a group of specialized cells. They transport substances and form two-way traffic in plants. Which of the following terms qualify for the features mentioned above?

• A. Xylem tissue
• B. Vascular tissue
• C. Root hairs
• D. Phloem tissue

Answer 1

The correct option is D

Phloem tissue

The correct option is option D.

Explanation of the correct option:

1. The complex tissue made up of pipe-like specialized cells that help in transporting food from leaves to other parts of plants is called phloem.
2. In angiosperms, phloem is composed of sieve tubes, sieve elements, phloem parenchyma, and phloem fibers.
3. Gymnosperms lack sieve tubes and companion cells.
4. Sieve tube elements are the long tube-like structures arranged longitudinally and remain associated with companion cells.
5. The companion cells are parenchymatous cells closely connected to sieve tubes by pit fields between their common longitudinal wall.
6. Phloem parenchyma cells are thin-walled, elongated cylindrical cells, which help to store food and other substances such as latex and resins.
7. Phloem fibers are elongated, unbranched sclerenchymatous cells with pointed apices, at maturity these cells lose their protoplasm and become dead.

Explanation of the incorrect options:

Option A:

1. The complex tissue of plants that helps in the conduction of water and minerals from roots to other parts of plants is called the xylem.
2. It provides mechanical support to plant parts.

Option B:

1. In plants, xylem and phloem form the vascular tissue of plants.
2. Xylem transports water and minerals from roots to different parts of plants and phloem transports food from leaves to other parts of plants.

Option C:

1. Plants absorb water, minerals, and essential nutrients from the soil through roots.
2. Roots are essential for anchoring the plant with soil.
3. The roots through osmosis absorb water and minerals from the soil.

Final Answer: the final answer is phloem tissue.