XYLEM Meaning and
Definition
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Xylem is a specialized plant tissue responsible for transporting water, minerals, and other dissolved substances from the roots to the leaves and other parts of the plant. It is one of the two types of vascular tissue found in plants, the other being phloem. The word "xylem" is derived from the Greek word "xylon," meaning wood, and this tissue is primarily composed of cells designed to carry out the function of water transport.
Composed of several types of cells, xylem tissue consists of vessels, tracheids, fibers, and parenchyma cells. Vessels and tracheids are elongated, hollow cells that have distinct secondary cell walls containing lignin, a rigid substance that provides support and strength. These cells form interconnected tubes that facilitate the upward movement of water and dissolved nutrients. Fibers, on the other hand, provide mechanical support to the plant, while parenchyma cells store food and contribute to structural support.
The transportation of water and nutrients through xylem occurs due to several physical forces, including root pressure and transpiration pull. Root pressure is the force exerted by the roots as a result of mineral absorption, while transpiration pull is the movement of water vapor from the leaves, creating a suction force that pulls water up the plant through the xylem.
Overall, xylem plays a critical role in maintaining plant hydration and supplying the necessary nutrients for various physiological processes, enabling the plant to grow, develop, and survive in its environment.
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In botany, the inner portion of a vascular bundle.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for XYLEM
Etymology of XYLEM
The word "xylem" has its roots in the Greek language. It is derived from two Greek words: "xylon", meaning "wood", and "haima", meaning "blood" or "sap". The term was first used by the botanist Carl Nägeli in 1858 to describe the specialized tissue responsible for conducting water and nutrients in plants, primarily in the form of sap. The name "xylem" was chosen to reflect its woody appearance and essential function in plant physiology.
Similar spelling word for XYLEM
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