Transportgeweben

Transportgeweben, also known as transport tissues, are specialized tissues in plants responsible for the long-distance movement of water, minerals, and sugars. These tissues are essential for plant survival, enabling the distribution of vital resources throughout the organism. The two primary types of transport tissues are xylem and phloem.

Xylem is primarily responsible for transporting water and dissolved mineral nutrients from the roots upwards to the rest of the plant, including the stems and leaves. It also provides structural support to the plant. Xylem tissue is composed of several cell types, including tracheids, vessel elements, xylem parenchyma, and xylem fibers. Water movement in xylem occurs mainly through a process called transpiration pull, driven by the evaporation of water from the leaves.

Phloem, on the other hand, transports sugars, primarily sucrose, produced during photosynthesis from the leaves to other parts of the plant where they are needed for growth or storage. This process is known as translocation. Phloem tissue consists of sieve elements (sieve cells and sieve-tube elements), companion cells, phloem parenchyma, and phloem fibers. Sugars are transported in the phloem in a dissolved state, and movement can occur both upwards and downwards, depending on the plant's needs.

Together, xylem and phloem form the vascular system of plants, facilitating efficient nutrient distribution and maintaining the plant's overall health and integrity. The continuous network of these tissues ensures that all cells receive the necessary resources for their metabolic activities and survival.