Welcome to the NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Science - Chapter Life Processes. This page offers a step-by-step solution to the specific question from Exercise 6, Question 12: . With detailed answers and explanations for each chapter, students can strengthen their understanding and prepare confidently for exams. Ideal for CBSE and other board students, this resource will simplify your study experience.
What are the differences between the transport of materials in xylem and phloem?
|
XYLEM |
PHLOEM |
|
Xylem helps in the transport of water and minerals with the help of pressure. |
Phloem helps in the transportation of the food with the help of energy in the form of ATP. |
|
Xylem is composed of living and non- living cells. Mainly non- living cells are present, including tracheary elements- tracheids and vessel elements. Xylem tissue also contains xylem parenchyma cells for storage function and xylem fibres for the mechanical function. |
Phloem is composed of mainly four components- sieve tube elements mainly for sugar transport, companion cells carry all metabolic functions of sieve tubes, phloem fibres provide tension strength and phloem parenchyma cells helps in transfer of food also called transfer cells. |
|
Xylem involves the route from roots to the aerial parts of the plants and then evaporation occurs. Once water is absorbed in the root hair, then goes into the cortex then transports in xylem. Path of the transport in xylem goes through apoplast (transport in the cell walls to the intercellular spaces) and symplast (transport occurs from cell protoplast by the interconnection of plasmodesmata). Movement:- Epidermis → cortex → Endodermis → Xylem |
Transport of food in the form of organic solutes from one place to another place in the higher plants known as translocation. In this, carbohydrates are translocated from leaves to the roots and then in the storage organs like tubers, bulbs, fruits etc. along to the phloem in the form of sugar (sucrose). They are transported through the sieve elements of the phloem and this translocation needs the metabolic energy to transport the food. |
|
Uptake of water and minerals from the roots includes root pressure to the leaves and includes positive hydrostatic pressure in the xylem. When the water moves upward to a tall tree, at the top of the tree develops a large tension, i.e, negative hydrostatic pressure is developed which pulls the water and the minerals through the xylem. |
Transportation of food movement involves along the turgor pressure gradient that is induced by maintained gradient of water potential; and the flow of organic solutes takes place from the high concentration to the lower concentration, i.e, from leaves to the roots and the organs. Transportation of food is a downward movement. |
|
One most accepted theory is given for the upward movement of water in the xylem is Cohesion- tension theory also known as transpiration pull. This theory includes high tensile strength and high capillarity. Transpiration pull includes pull from soil to leaves. |
Phloem translocation describes the downward movement of the food from leaves to the roots and the organs of the plants. Several theories have been given to explain this phloem translocation- Diffusion hypothesis, Activated diffusion theory, Electro- osmotic theory, Munch hypothesis etc. And; the most accepted theory is the Munch hypothesis. |
|
Water and minerals from the plants through the roots then cross the root cortex and pass into the stele (xylem) and move upward to the leaves. And, this upward movement of the water and minerals against the gravitational force from roots to the aerial parts through xylem is known as the ascent of sap. |
By using the energy in the form of ATP food in the form of organic solutes loaded into the sieve elements of the phloem vascular tissue and by the process of osmosis water enters in the sieve tubes that raise the pressure in the phloem and then the food is transported to the parts of the plants. |
|
Transportation of water and minerals through the xylem is a passive process. |
Transportation of food by the translocation process through the phloem is an active process. |
NCERT questions are designed to test your understanding of the concepts and theories discussed in the chapter. Here are some tips to help you answer NCERT questions effectively:
Stay updated with our latest educational content and study tips
Interest is one of the most significant ideas in maths and financial calculations. It is very common in banking, loan applications, investments, saving account and competitive exams. Simple Interest and Compound Interest make it easier to find out how much more is earned and/or paid on a principal during the period of time. These Interest … Read more
Read MoreIn 2026, students, professionals, and job seekers must have a high level of spoken English. Spoken English is a beginner level course to enhance learners’ communication skills in English, their pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar structure and confidence in speaking English fluently. Today, the emphasis of spoken English courses is placed on actual conversations, everyday speech practice … Read more
Read MoreArtificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are two of the most sought-after technologies in today’s digital era. Although these terms are often used together, they are not the same. Machine Learning is, in fact, a component of Artificial Intelligence that enables systems to learn and enhance on their own, without direct programming. AI is … Read more
Read MoreTime, Speed, and Distance are some of the most important concepts in mathematics and aptitude. These are the concepts which are used to calculate the speed of an object, time taken for an object to move and the distance traveled during the motion. Questions from this topic are frequently seen in School Tests, Competitive Tests, … Read more
Read MoreWelcome to the NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Science - Chapter . This page offers a step-by-step solution to the specific question from Excercise 6 , Question 12: What are the differences between the transport of materials in xylem and phloem?....
Add Comment