Question

Which one is responsible for radial conduction of water and food in woody stems?
A. Vessels
B. Vascular rays
C. Endodermis
D. Xylem fibers

Answer 1

Hint: Plants take up water and minerals from the soil and this moves to different parts such as leaves. The water and minerals are used to manufacture sugars as food. The minerals and water are also needed to maintain the different tissues and parts of the plants.

Complete answer:
The xylem and the phloem are the major conducting tissues of the plants. The xylem takes up water and minerals from the soil from different parts of the plants and the phloem transports the prepared food from the leaves to different parts of the plant. In addition to this, the horizontal system of translocation helps in the radial movement of the water and food. This horizontal system functions in the movement of water and food in a radial direction. This radial conduction of water and food in plants such as in the woody stems, takes place through the vascular bundles.

-Vascular bundles are cellular structures that are made up of parenchymatous cells. These cells are responsible for the transportation of water and food from the central to the periphery of the wood in plants. They are also known as medullary rays or pith rays.
-Vessels or vessel elements are the cells that are found in the Xylem of the plants. They are found in the angiosperms but are not found in the gymnosperms. It forms an efficient system for transporting water from the roots to the leaves and other parts of the plant.
-Endodermis is a thick layer of cell and it separates the cortex from the stele. The cells of the endodermis are mostly barrel shaped and they do not have any intercellular spaces. They are living cells and serve as a protective layer.
-Xylem fibers are lignified cells and they provide mechanical support to the plants. They are also known as wood fibres.

Hence, the correct answer is option (B).

Note: The radial conduction of water and minerals in the woody plants takes place through the vascular rays which are made up of parenchymatous cells. The vascular rays extend from the cambium into the conducting tissues such as the xylem and phloem. In the woody stems of the plant, they appear as radiating lines arising from the center.