Question

How are water and minerals transported in plants?
(a) Through xylem
(b) Through phloem
(c) Through xylem and through phloem
(d) Through sieve tubes

Answer 1

Hint: The complex tissues are made of more than one type of cells and together work as a single unit and are involved in water and mineral transport. This complex tissue also provides mechanical strength to plant parts.

Complete answer:
Xylem functions as a conducting tissue for water and minerals through roots to different parts of the plant. Water and minerals from the soil enter the plant through the epidermis of roots, radially cross the root cortex, and pass into the xylem. From there the xylem sap, the water and dissolved minerals in the xylem, moves upward. It is vitally important for a plant to transport water and minerals from the soil to its uppermost leaves. The upward movement of water and minerals against gravitational force from root to aerial parts of the plant through xylem is called the ascent of sap.

Additional information:
Once the water is absorbed by the plants, it can move deeper into the roots by two pathways:
1. Apoplast pathway (movement through the intercellular spaces and the walls of the cells)
2. Symplast pathway (movement through the cells cytoplasm)

So, the correct answer is, ‘Through xylem’.

Note: Water and minerals are generally moved by a mass flow (or bulk flow) system. It is the bulk movement of a substance from one point to another due to pressure differences. Bulk flow can be achieved either by positive or negative hydrostatic pressure. Mass flow occurs due to adhesive and cohesive properties of water.