Question

Given below are some characteristics of vessels and tracheids.
(i) Multicellular with a wide lumen
(ii) Dead cells
(iii) Cell walls are lignified
(iv) Discontinuous lumen due to the presence of end walls
(v) Long, cylindrical tube-like structure
(vi) Elongated cells with tapering ends
Categorize the given characteristics with vessels (X) and tracheids (Y) and select the correct option.
A. X-(i), (ii), (iii), (V) Y-(ii), (iii), (iv), (vi)
B. X-(i), (ii), (iii), (V) (vi) Y-(ii), (iii), (iv), (v)
C. X-(i), (iv), (V) Y-(ii), (iv), (v),(vi)
D. X-(i), (ii), (v),(vi) Y- (i), (iii),(iv),( vi)

Answer 1

Hint: Plants have transport tissues that help in the transportation of water, minerals, and nutrients. Xylem is a type of transport tissue in vascular plants. The other type of transport tissue is phloem.

Complete Answer:
- Xylem is a type of vascular tissue present in plants. Its primary function is to transport water and nutrients from roots to stem and leaves. They also provide mechanical strength to the plants.
- Xylem helps in the conduction of water in plants in uni-direction. Xylem tissue conducts water and mineral nutrients from the soil upward in plant roots and stems. Xylem has four components—tracheids, vessels, parenchyma cells, and fibers.
- Tracheids are elongated, tube-like cells with a tapering end and are dead. They are present mostly in gymnosperm and lower angiosperm. They have a thick lignified wall and lack protoplasm. Their main function is water and mineral transportation
- Vessels are a long cylindrical structure having a tube-like structure. They have lignified walls and have a large central cavity. They are present in angiosperms. They are also dead and lack protoplasm. They have many cells called vessel members which are interconnected through a perforation in common walls. Mostly involved in the conduction of water, minerals and give mechanical strength to the plant.
- Tracheids and vessels are two types of component cells of water-conducting plant tissue called xylem. Both are non-living cells.

Thus, the correct option is a) X-(i), (ii), (iii), (V) Y-(ii), (iii), (iv), (vi).

Note: It is to be noted that on the basis of origin, there are two types of xylem cells:
i. Primary xylem: It originates from procambium and further divides into protoxylem and metaxylem.
ii. Secondary xylems: It originates from the vascular cambium.