9.1.1

Structure

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Structure

The xylem are plant vessels that are responsible for transporting water and mineral ions. The structure of the xylem is specialised for this role.

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Vessel elements

  • The xylem vessels are long, tubes of cells that run up the stem of plants.
  • The cells of the xylem are called vessel elements.
  • The vessel elements in the xylem are dead.
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End walls

  • The vessel elements are stacked on top one another.
  • There are no cell walls at the ends of each vessel element.
  • This creates a continuous tube for water to flow through.
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Lignin

  • The walls of the xylem are lined with a waterproof polymer called lignin.
  • Lignin reinforces the walls of the vessel elements to provide structural support.

Jump to other topics

1Cell Biology

2Molecular Biology

3Genetics

4Ecology

5Evolution & Biodiversity

6Human Physiology

7AHL: Nucleic Acids

8AHL: Metabolism, Cell Respiration & Photosynthesis

9AHL: Plant Biology

9.1Transport in the Xylem of Plants

9.2Transport in the Phloem of Plants

9.3Growth in Plants

10AHL: Genetics & Evolution

11AHL: Animal Physiology

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