Gefäßkanäle

Gefäßkanäle, also known as vascular channels or vascular bundles, are fundamental structural units found in plants. They are responsible for the transport of water, nutrients, and sugars throughout the plant organism. These channels are typically composed of two main types of vascular tissue: xylem and phloem.

Xylem primarily transports water and dissolved minerals from the roots to the rest of the plant, providing structural support. It consists of tracheary elements, such as tracheids and vessel elements, which are dead at maturity and form continuous tubes. Phloem, on the other hand, transports sugars produced during photosynthesis from the leaves to other parts of the plant where they are needed for growth or storage. Phloem tissue comprises sieve elements, companion cells, phloem parenchyma, and phloem fibers.

The arrangement of xylem and phloem within a vascular bundle can vary depending on the plant group. In dicotyledonous plants, vascular bundles are typically arranged in a ring, separating the cortex from the pith. In monocotyledonous plants, vascular bundles are scattered throughout the stem. The presence and arrangement of these vascular channels are important characteristics used in plant identification and classification. They are essential for the survival and growth of all vascular plants.