What is the function of xylem in plants?

• A. To transport water and minerals from roots to shoots.
• B. To transport sugars from leaves to roots.
• C. To produce chlorophyll.
• D. To protect against pests.

Answer: (A)

Xylem's job is to move water and dissolved minerals from the roots up to the rest of the plant. It’s made of hollow, dead cells with thick lignified walls that form continuous tubes, giving both conductivity and support. Water is pulled upward by evaporation from the leaves, creating a negative pressure that draws water up through the xylem; cohesive forces between water molecules and adhesion to the tube walls help maintain a continuous column. Minerals travel with this water as it moves upward. This flow is largely unidirectional, from roots toward shoots, not in multiple directions. The transport of sugars from leaves to other parts is done by phloem, chlorophyll is produced in chloroplasts, and protection against pests comes from other tissues and defenses, not the xylem.