• conducting water and mineral salts from the root to the stem and the leaves
  • providing mechanical support to the plant

Definition

Xylem transports water and dissolved mineral salts from roots to the aerial parts of the plant. It also provides mechanical support to the plant #BiologyDefinitions


  • structure made up of many dead cells without cytoplasm or cross walls.

    • Each vessel is a long hollow tube stretching from root to the leaf This reduces resistance to water flowing through inner walls of xylem vessels
  • strengthened by deposits of a substance called lignin

    • Lignin may be deposited in the form of rings, spirals or the entire vessel may be lignified except for regions called the pits lignin on cell walls strengthen vessel walls so that xylem vessels may provide mechanical support to the plant and prevent collapse of the vessel.