Xylem is a crucial plant tissue responsible for transporting water, dissolved minerals, and nutrients from the roots to the rest of the plant, including the leaves and stems.
It is composed of various specialized cells, such as vessels and tracheids, which form a network throughout the plant.
This intricate structure facilitates the upward movement of water against gravity, supporting the plant’s growth, structural integrity, and metabolic functions.
Xylem also plays a role in the transport of hormones and defense against pathogens, making it an essential component of plant biology and ecology.