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| In vascular ]s, '''xylem''' is the tissue that carries water up the stem |
In vascular ]s, '''xylem''' is the tissue that carries water up the stem. In ]s, it constitutes ], hence the word is derived from the ] word for "wood". Together with ], xylem is one of the two transport tissues of plants. | ||
| Xylem (at least in ]s) is composed of ]s and ]s. Vessel elements are similar in structure to the sieve-tube members of phloem, but they lack companion cells, and have perforated sides as well as pores at the ends. Tracheids are much narrower cells, with tapered and perforated ends, constituting most of the volume of the xylem tissue. Both tracheids and vessel elements are dead at maturity. | |||
| Xylem sap always moves from the ]s to the ]. It travels by ''bulk flow'', like water in a series of pipes, rather than by diffusion through ]s. Three phenomena cause xylem sap to flow: | |||
| * The soil solution (see ]) is more dilute than the ] of the root cells. Thus, water moves ] into the cells, creating ''']'''. Even under optimal conditions, root pressure can only lift water a couple of feet. | |||
| * ] helps sap to flow up the narrow tracheids. | |||
| * By far the most important cause of xylem sap flow is ]. This is the reverse of root pressure, caused by the ] of ] from leaves. | |||
Revision as of 06:00, 16 May 2003
In vascular plants, xylem is the tissue that carries water up the stem. In trees, it constitutes wood, hence the word is derived from the Greek word for "wood". Together with phloem, xylem is one of the two transport tissues of plants.
Xylem (at least in dicots) is composed of vessel elements and tracheids. Vessel elements are similar in structure to the sieve-tube members of phloem, but they lack companion cells, and have perforated sides as well as pores at the ends. Tracheids are much narrower cells, with tapered and perforated ends, constituting most of the volume of the xylem tissue. Both tracheids and vessel elements are dead at maturity.
Xylem sap always moves from the roots to the leaves. It travels by bulk flow, like water in a series of pipes, rather than by diffusion through cells. Three phenomena cause xylem sap to flow:
- The soil solution (see soil) is more dilute than the cytosol of the root cells. Thus, water moves osmotically into the cells, creating root pressure. Even under optimal conditions, root pressure can only lift water a couple of feet.
- Capillary action helps sap to flow up the narrow tracheids.
- By far the most important cause of xylem sap flow is transpirational pull. This is the reverse of root pressure, caused by the transpiration of water from leaves.