Xylem vs Phloem — Difference (with Table)
Xylem vs Phloem compared side by side — a 6-row comparison table and 4 key points. Class 10 Biology, free and no sign-up.
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TL;DR: Xylem vs Phloem compared side by side — a 6-row comparison table and 4 key points. Class 10 Biology, free and no sign-up.
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The main difference between Xylem and Phloem: Xylem transports water and minerals upward from roots to leaves. Phloem transports food prepared by leaves to all parts of the plant.
Xylem vs Phloem — Comparison Table
| Basis | Xylem | Phloem |
|---|---|---|
| Function | Transport water and minerals | Transport food and sugar |
| Direction | Upward from roots | Bidirectional from leaves |
| Cell Type | Vessel elements and tracheids | Sieve cells and companion cells |
| Living/Dead | Dead at maturity | Living cells |
| Cell Wall | Thick, lignified walls | Thin, cellulose walls |
| Movement Type | Passive transport via osmosis | Active transport requiring energy |
Key Points
- Xylem is derived from ground and vascular tissue
- Phloem surrounds xylem in vascular bundles
- Xylem cells are hollow allowing water flow
- Phloem cells remain living to actively transport nutrients