Question

What is xylem? Explain the structure of various kinds of components of xylem.

Answer 1

Xylem is the type of vascular bundles that help in the conduction of water in plants in uni-direction.

• Tracheids are elongated tube-like cells with thick and lignified walls and tapering ends and are dead.
• Vessels are the long cylindrical tube-like structure with the lignified wall and large lumen and are devoid of protoplasm.these are interconnected through perforations in their common walls. Its presence is the characteristic of angiosperms.
• Xylem parenchyma is the only living tissue, thin-walled and made of cellulose. They store starch in the form of fat and starch and tannins.
• Xylem fibers have highly thick walls and the oblitered central lumen that may be septate or aseptate.