Question

Which of the following structures is responsible for the transportation of water in higher plants?
A. Companion cell
B. Sieve cell
C. Vessel
D. Sieve tube

Answer 1

Hint: The plants have a well developed vascular system for the transportation of water. The vascular bundle consists of Xylem and Phloem. The vascular transportation of water is provided in plants with the help of Xylem. The transportation of nutrients is provided in plants with the help of phloem.

Complete answer:
Higher plants have well developed vascular systems and they perform the function of transportation in plants. The main part responsible is Xylem. It is further made up of different parts-
* Vessels- These are the main elements for transportation and are hollow and perforated cells.
* Tracheids- They do not have perforations in their cell wall and work in coordination with vessels.
* Xylem parenchyma- They are made up of parenchymal cells which are mainly involved in storage.
* Xylem fibers- They provide mechanical support.
Let’s have a look at the other above given options.
Companion cells are referred to as ground tissue cells and the major function is to deliver proteins, ATP, and nutrients to the sieve elements.
Sieve tubes- They contain elongated cells and are performing the function of signal distribution.
Sieve cells are responsible for the conduction of food and they contain pores through which nutrients flow from cell to cell. These are present in Gymnosperms. These are a part of the phloem.

The structure responsible for the transportation of water in higher plants is Vessel. So the correct option is (C).

Note:
The vascular bundle consists of Phloem and Xylem and both perform different functions.
The water transportation in plants is performed by Xylem and the transport of food is performed by phloem.
There is a difference between the sieve tubes, which is a part of Xylem, and sieve cells are a part of phloem.