The term xilema comes from the Greek word “xylon” which means “wood.” The official term was coined in 1837 by a German botanist as “Xylem” and, finally, began to be known in Spanish as Xilema. But What is the xylem and what is its function?
In Ecology Verde we want to approach the easiest possible way some knowledge of botany so that you understand those little and large plants that accompany us every day. Keep reading if you want to discover everything about the xylem, as well as its difference with the phloem.
What is the Xilema of the plants and where it is located
It is known as Xilema to woody fabric of metaphytes plants. This is formed by the vessels, the parenchyma and the fibers, which is, in short, where the gross sap.
The xylem It is a type of plant tissue is located throughout the plant, especially in stem and leaves. This tissue is always next to the other conductor plant tissue: the phloem. The phloem is responsible for transporting the ELABORATED SAVIA Thus, completing the process carried out by the xylem. This plant tissue we call xylem is composed of different types of elongated cells. Among them, as we have mentioned above, are the tracheids, vascular and fibers.
- Tracheid cells are characterized by being very thin and elongated, but thick walls. Its function is to help the transport of water and other nutrients.
- In the case of vascular cells, we talk about the cells present in angiosperm plants, those that have flowers.
- The xylematic fibers or fibers are responsible for providing the support to the plant. These are very resistant.
Also, xylem is divided into two: primary xylem and secondary xylem
The primary xylem
It is the one that is composed of a protoxilem and a metaxilem. The protoxilem, or first conductive fabric, has thick ring or spiral vessels that are very resistant. We call tissue metaxilema that is present at all stages of the plant and that is formed by vessels in the form of prismatic tubes and are slightly more elongated than protoxylem.
The secondary xylem
It is where the division of the Cellbium cells occurs. This is composed of conductive and non -conductive elements. This is where the tracheas that have basal walls are found.
You can learn much more about this and other types of plant tissues with this other ecology article.
Xilema: Function
Xilema is the plant tissue in charge of transporting water, mineral salts and other nutrients necessary for the plant from the root to the leaves. The raw materials absorbed and synthesized by the plant from the root are transported by the xylem to each organ. This set of nutrients is known as gross sap and is produced thanks to the processes of osmosis and suction. Next, we briefly explain what these two are Vital processes for plant nutrition:
- It is known as osmosis to the displacement of the water that has been accumulated or retained at the root and that is sent to the upper part of the plant thanks to the difference between the soluble potential of the radical plant tissue and the moisture found on the ground. It is also interesting to know that the osmosis process does not always achieve the upper part of the plant. This will depend on each plant species.
- The suction It is the process that completes the transport of liquids that the xylem performs. The leaves are responsible for performing it to replace the liquid lost in perspiration or in other natural processes.
Therefore, thanks to the energy generated by this process, the xylem can easily carry out the transport of the collection water and take it not only to each part of the plant, but also to the atmosphere. Similarly, the xylem also performs other secondary functions, such as maintaining mineral reserves if necessary and being part of the support to offer greater stability to the plant.
Here we explain much more about the process of nutrition of plants.
Xilema and Floema: Differences
Next, we have created a list with the Main differences between xylem and phloemtaking into account that the two conductive fabrics:
- The xylem is the fabric in charge of transporting the gross sap while the phloem transports the elaborate sap, that is, the product achieved after performing photosynthesis.
- The xylem has the main function to transport water, while the phloem specializes in the transport of nutrients necessary for the plant.
- The xylem transport system is unidirectional while in the case of the phloem this can carry out the transport of nutrients bidirectionally.
- The xylem only transports the beneficial substances for the plant from the root to the leaves. However, the phloem does so in the opposite direction, from the leaves to the root and including the rest of the plant.
- It is also interesting to know that the xylem has lignified cell walls, while the phloem has a structure formed by soft cell walls.
If you want to read more articles similar to What is the xylem and its functionwe recommend that you enter our biology category.
