Difference between Xylem and Phloem:
The xylem and phloem are two types of vascular tissues found in plants. The xylem transports water and minerals from roots to leaves, while the phloem transports sugars produced during photosynthesis from leaves to other parts of the plant. The xylem is composed of dead cells, providing structural support, while the phloem consists of living cells. These tissues play crucial roles in the overall functioning and growth of plants. Here below we have provided the Difference between Xylem and Phloem with Examples.
Similarities between the xylem and phloem?
- The phloem and xylem are closely connected, usually adjacent to each other.
- Moreover, they together form a vascular bundle.
- Both are tubular structures.
- In addition, they are complex organizations
- Both are made up of different types of cells.
- The xylem and phloem are responsible for transporting substances throughout the plant.
- They carry nutrients for plants.
- Both are Found in plants and play a role in photosynthesis.
- Both have conductive tubes that help transport nutrients, sugars, etc.
Read: Important difference between Tendon and Ligaments
Difference between Xylem and Phloem :
Xylem | Phoelm |
---|---|
The xylem is the complex tissue of plants, responsible for transporting water and other nutrients to the plants. | Phloem is living tissue, responsible for transporting food and other organic materials. |
It helps to carry water from roots to leaves. | It helps to carry food from the leaves to growing organs and also to the storage organs. |
The xylem is located in the center of the vascular bundle, deep in the plant. | The phloem is located on the outer side of the vascular bundle. |
The cell wall of the xylem is thick and made up of lignin. | The cell wall of the phloem is thin. made up of cellulose. |
It is usually made up of dead cells. | It is usually made up of living cells. |
Their movement is unidirectional. | Their movement is bidirectional. |
It helps in the passive transport of water. | It helps in the active transport of sugar and food. |
Xylem transports only minerals and water from the roots | Phloem transports food materials that are prepared by the green parts of the plants to other parts of the plant. |
Provide mechanical support | Does not provide mechanical support. |
Xylem fibers are smaller. | Phloem fibers are larger. |
They are present in roots, stems, and leaves. | They are present in stems and leaves, which later transport and grow in roots, fruits, and seeds. |
The total amount of xylem tissue is more. | The total amount of phloem tissue is less. |
Forms vascular bundles with phloem. | Forms vascular bundles with xylem. |
It consists of tracheids, vessel elements, xylem parenchyma, xylem sclerenchyma, and xylem fibers. | It consists of four elements: companion cells, sieve tubes, bast fibers, phloem fibers, intermediary cells, and the phloem parenchyma. |
The xylem constitutes mostly the bulk of the body of the plant | Phloem constitutes a small part of the body of the plant |
It is responsible for replacing the total amount of lost water molecules through transpiration and photosynthesis. | It is responsible for transporting proteins and mRNAs throughout the plant. |
Key Differences Between Xylum and Phloem Class 9th:
Following are the important points that distinguish between the xylem from phloem:
- Xylem is a complex plant tissue responsible for transporting water and other soluble nutrients to plants and the flow is unidirectional that goes from the root to the top of the plant while phloem is a different type of vessel, living tissue that is responsible for transporting food and other organic materials prepared by the green parts of plants such as leaves. The flow of material in the phloem is bidirectional.
- Xylem is mostly dead cells and parenchyma is the only living cells while phloem is mostly living cells and fibers are the only dead cells.
- The xylem is at the center of the vascular bundle, deep in the plant, and is composed of xylem vessels, fibers, and tracheids, while the phloem is on the outside of the vascular bundle and is composed of phloem fibers, sieve tubes, sieve, phloem parenchymal cells, and companion cells.
- Xylem transports only minerals and water from the roots and also provides the mechanical strength of the plant, in contrast, the phloem transports food materials that are prepared by the green parts of the plant to other parts but is not able to provide mechanical support to the plant.
- The xylem often makes up the bulk of the plant body, but the vascular or tracheal cells are dead, while the phloem forms a small part of the plant body and the vascular cells are living.
FAQs on the difference between xylem and phloem Class 9:
1. Write 5 differences between xylem and phloem:
Answer:
- Function: Xylem transports water and minerals from roots to the rest of the plant, while phloem transports sugars produced during photosynthesis from leaves to other parts.
- Composition: Xylem is composed of dead cells with lignin, providing structural support, while phloem consists of living cells.
- Direction of flow: Xylem conducts materials upwards, primarily through capillary action and transpiration pull, while phloem transports materials bidirectionally, both upwards and downwards.
- Location: Xylem is located closer to the center of the plant, while phloem is found towards the outer regions, often adjacent to the bark.
- Cell types: Xylem consists of vessels, tracheids, and fibers, while phloem is made up of sieve tube elements and companion cells.
2. What are the Common difference between xylem and phloem:
Answer: The primary distinction between xylem and phloem lies in their respective functions: xylem transports water and minerals, while phloem transports sugars.
3. Difference between xylem and phloem in a tree:
Answer: In a tree, xylem is responsible for conducting water and minerals from the roots to the leaves and other parts of the plant, while phloem transports sugars produced during photosynthesis from the leaves to other parts of the plant for energy or storage.
4. Xylem and phloem Class 10 notes:
Answer: Xylem and phloem are vascular tissues found in plants. Xylem transports water and minerals from roots to leaves, while phloem transports sugars produced during photosynthesis from leaves to other parts. Xylem is composed of dead cells with lignin, while the phloem consists of living cells. Xylem conducts materials upwards, while phloem transports materials bidirectionally.
5. Difference between xylem and phloem 4 points:
Answer:
- Xylem transports water and minerals upwards, while phloem transports sugars bidirectionally.
- Xylem is composed of dead cells with lignin, providing structural support, whereas phloem consists of living cells.
- Xylem is located closer to the center of the plant, while phloem is situated towards the outer regions, often adjacent to the bark.
- Xylem conducts materials through vessels, tracheids, and fibers, while phloem transports materials through sieve tube elements and companion cells.