Xylem & Phloem (Cambridge International IGCSE Science)

The Xylem & Phloem

• Plants contain two types of transport vessel:

  • Xylem (pronounced: zi-lem) vessels – transport water and minerals from the roots to the stem and leaves. They also offer support to the plant within the stem
  • Phloem (pronounced: flow-em) vessels – transport food materials (mainly sucrose and amino acids) made by the plant from photosynthesising leaves to non-photosynthesising regions in the roots and stem

• These vessels are arranged throughout the root, stem and leaves in groups called vascular bundles

Vascular tissue in a dicotyledonous plant

Exam Hint If you are asked to identify the xylem or phloem in a diagram showing a cross-section of a root, stem or leaf just remember that xylem is always on the inside and phloem is always on the outside.