Why are xylem and phloem called complex tissues? How are they different from one other?
Both xylem and phloem consist of more than one type of cells, which coordinate to perform a common function.
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Xylem
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Phloem
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Xylem tissue helps in the transport of water and minerals.
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Phloem tissue helps in the transport of food.
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Water is transported upwards from roots to aerial parts of plants
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Food is transported in both upward and downward directions.
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Transport in xylem requires physical forces such as transpiration pull.
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Transport of food in phloem requires energy inthe form of ATP.
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| Xylem is made up of three types of dead cells (vessels, tracheids, xylem fibres) | There are three types of living cells (sieve tube cells, companion cells and phloem parenchyma) |
