Transport in Plants — Interactive Diagram
See how water and food move through a plant using two special pipelines — xylem and phloem.
TL;DR: See how water and food move through a plant using two special pipelines — xylem and phloem.
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Transport in Plants: See how water and food move through a plant using two special pipelines — xylem and phloem.
Why it matters: Xylem (water up) and phloem (food everywhere) are essential to plant life and a common exam diagram.
Transport in Plants — Step by Step
- Roots absorb WATER and minerals from the soil.
- XYLEM tubes carry the water UPWARDS from the roots to the leaves — a one-way trip up.
- Leaves make food by photosynthesis. PHLOEM tubes carry this FOOD to every part of the plant — both up and down.
Quick Notes — the Exam Crux
- Plants have two transport tissues: xylem and phloem.
- Xylem carries water and minerals upward, from the roots to the leaves (one direction).
- Transpiration (evaporation of water from leaves) creates the pull that draws water up the xylem.
- Phloem carries food (glucose made in the leaves) to all parts, including the roots (both directions).
- This movement of food through the phloem is called translocation.
- Root hairs absorb water from the soil by osmosis.
Remember It (Memory Trick)
Two pipes: Xylem carries Water UP (roots→leaves), Phloem carries Food (sugar) everywhere. "Xylem = water eXits upward, Phloem = Food flows."
Real-Life Example
Put a white flower stem in coloured water and the petals slowly turn that colour — you are literally watching the xylem carry water up from the stem to the flower.
Test Yourself
What does the xylem transport, and in which direction?
Water and minerals, upward from the roots to the leaves.
What does the phloem transport?
Food (sugars) made in the leaves, to all parts of the plant.
What process pulls water up through the xylem?
Transpiration — the evaporation of water from the leaves.
📖 Read the full explanation of Transport in Plants →
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