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Xylem Tissue

Key Stage 3

A magnified image of a plant vein with xylem tissue dyed orange.

Meaning

Xylem Tissue is a tissue used in the transport of water in plants.

About Xylem Tissue

Xylem tissue is made of xylem cells which have died to form hollow tubes.
Xylem tissue transports water and minerals absorbed by the roots up to the leaves.

Key Stage 4

A magnified image of a plant vein with xylem tissue dyed orange.

Meaning

Xylem Tissue is a tissue used in the transport of water in plants.

About Xylem Tissue

Xylem tissue transports water and minerals absorbed by the roots up to the leaves.
Water is transported along the xylem by a process called transpiration.
Xylem tissue supports the stem of the plant making it harder to bend under its own weight.
The xylem tissue is formed when xylem cells create a chemical called lignin which builds up in a spiral shape around the cell wall. The xylem cells then die to leave behind hollow tubes supported by the spiral of lignin.

References

AQA

Xylem tissues, pages 83, 84, GCSE Combined Science Trilogy; Biology, CGP, AQA
Xylem tissues, pages 89, 90, GCSE Biology, CGP, AQA