Which statement correctly describes the location and transport roles of xylem and phloem?

Which statement correctly describes the location and transport roles of xylem and phloem?

• A. Xylem transports water and minerals from roots to shoots; Phloem distributes sugars (photosynthates) from sources to sinks
• B. Phloem transports water and minerals; Xylem transports sugars
• C. Xylem transports oxygen; Phloem transports minerals
• D. Xylem transports hormones; Phloem transports carbon dioxide

Answer: (A)

The main idea is how vascular tissue moves substances in a plant: xylem handles water and mineral transport upward from the roots, while phloem carries sugars (photosynthates) from where they’re produced to where they’re needed or stored. Xylem is made of hollow, dead cells with thick, lignified walls, and its flow is driven largely by transpiration and cohesion–tension, pulling water from roots to shoots. Phloem consists of living sieve-tube elements with companion cells, and its transport works by bulk flow: sugars are actively loaded into the phloem at source tissues, creating a high pressure that pushes sap toward sinks where sugars are unloaded and used or stored. This arrangement explains why the statement is correct: xylem moves water and minerals upward, phloem distributes sugars to other parts of the plant. The other options mix up these roles or mention substances not primarily transported by these tissues (like gases).

The main idea is how vascular tissue moves substances in a plant: xylem handles water and mineral transport upward from the roots, while phloem carries sugars (photosynthates) from where they’re produced to where they’re needed or stored. Xylem is made of hollow, dead cells with thick, lignified walls, and its flow is driven largely by transpiration and cohesion–tension, pulling water from roots to shoots. Phloem consists of living sieve-tube elements with companion cells, and its transport works by bulk flow: sugars are actively loaded into the phloem at source tissues, creating a high pressure that pushes sap toward sinks where sugars are unloaded and used or stored. This arrangement explains why the statement is correct: xylem moves water and minerals upward, phloem distributes sugars to other parts of the plant. The other options mix up these roles or mention substances not primarily transported by these tissues (like gases).