Cells

Specialized cells

Multicellular organisms, such as humans or plants, may contain many

millions of cells. Not all of these cells are alike. For example, in a human
body almost all of our cells have the same features that are found in most
animal cells – a cell membrane, cytoplasm, mitochondria, ribosomes, and
a nucleus. But most of our cells have a particular function to perform, and
their structure is modified to help them to carry out that function
effectively. They are said to be specialised. The same is true in a flowering
plant, where all the cells have the basic characteristics of plant cells, but
then have slightly different structures that relate to their specific functions.
Xylem and phloem
Water comes from further away. Plants absorb water through their roots,
and this water must be transported up to the leaves. The transport system
that does this is made up of a tissue called xylem. Mineral ions are also
transported in xylem.

Plants also have a second transport system, made up of a tissue called

phloem. Phloem transports sucrose and amino acids from the leaves where
they are made, to other parts of the plant such as its roots and flowers.
Xylem
A xylem vessel is like a long drainpipe. It is made of many hollow, dead
cells, joined end to end. The end walls of the cells have disappeared, so a
long, open tube is formed. Xylem vessels run from the roots of the plant,
right up through the stem. They branch out into every leaf.