Differentiate between xylem and phloem? With its diagram ?

Xylem and phloem are two types of vascular tissues found in plants that are responsible for transporting water, nutrients, and other substances throughout the plant.

Xylem:
1. Xylem is responsible for transporting water and minerals from the roots to the rest of the plant.
2. It is made up of tracheids, vessel elements, fibers, and parenchyma cells.
3. Xylem cells are dead at maturity and have thick cell walls made of lignin.
4. Xylem tissue is located towards the center of the plant stem.
5. Xylem vessels are long and tubular in shape, allowing for efficient water transport.

Phloem:
1. Phloem is responsible for transporting sugars, amino acids, and other organic compounds produced by the plant through photosynthesis.
2. It is made up of sieve tube elements, companion cells, fibers, and parenchyma cells.
3. Phloem cells are living at maturity and have thin cell walls.
4. Phloem tissue is located towards the outer part of the plant stem.
5. Phloem cells are arranged end-to-end to form sieve tubes, which allow for the transport of nutrients.

Diagram:

Xylem:
```
Tracheids
/ \
Vessel elements Fibers
\ /
Parenchyma cells
```

Phloem:
```
Sieve tube elements
/ \
Companion cells Fibers
\ /
Parenchyma cells
```

Xylem and Phloem

Xylem

- Function: Transports water and minerals from the roots to the leaves.
- Structure:
- Composed of dead cells with thick, lignified cell walls.
- Cells arranged in long, hollow tubes called xylem vessels or tracheids.
- Lignin provides strength and rigidity to the cells.
- Location: Located in the central core of the stem and root.

Phloem

- Function: Transports sugars and other nutrients from the leaves to the rest of the plant.
- Structure:
- Composed of living cells with thin, cellulosic cell walls.
- Cells connected by protein strands called plasmodesmata, allowing for the movement of nutrients.
- Includes three types of cells: sieve tubes, companion cells, and phloem fibers.
- Location: Located outside the xylem, just beneath the bark.

Diagram:

[Image of a cross-section of a stem showing the arrangement of xylem and phloem]

Key Differences:

| Feature | Xylem | Phloem |
|---|---|---|
| Function | Water and mineral transport | Sugar and nutrient transport |
| Cells | Dead, lignified | Living, thin-walled |
| Cell arrangement | Hollow tubes (vessels/tracheids) | Sieve tubes connected by plasmodesmata |
| Location | Central core of stem and root | Outside the xylem |
| Status | Non-living | Living |