To solve the problem, we need to understand how water moves inside plants and which part of the plant is responsible for this movement.
Plants have different types of tissues that perform specific functions. Among these, two important tissues are xylem and phloem. They form part of the plant's vascular system, which is like the plant’s transportation network.
- Xylem is a special tissue made of long hollow tubes.
- Its main job is to carry water and dissolved minerals absorbed by the roots up through the stem and leaves.
- Water moves upward because of processes like capillary action, root pressure, and transpiration pull.
- Xylem cells are dead at maturity, which means they form empty tubes that act like pipes for water to flow easily.
- Phloem is another vascular tissue that transports food, especially sugars made by the leaves during photosynthesis.
- It moves food from the leaves (where it’s made) to other parts of the plant where it is used or stored.
- Unlike xylem, phloem cells are alive and help in distributing nutrients throughout the plant.
- The epidermis is the outer protective layer of the plant and does not transport water.
- Stomata are tiny openings mainly on the underside of leaves that control gas exchange (oxygen, carbon dioxide) and water vapor release but do not transport water inside the plant.
Since the question is about the transport of water inside the plant, the correct tissue responsible is the xylem, which carries water and minerals from the roots to all parts of the plant.
The tissue responsible for the transport of water in plants is Xylem.