Xylem and its components

Presented by –
Rakhi Agarwal
Msc 4th Sem
22MBOT001
XYLEM
Xylem is a vascular tissue, observed in all vascular
plants. It helps in water transportation, provides
strength, and stores fats and carbohydrates. The
term xylem was given by Carl Nageli in 1858. It is
derived from the Greek word “xylon” which
means “wood”. The xylem conducts water through
transpiration pull and capillary action. It helps in
overall plant growth. Based on origin, xylem can be
classified into Primary Xylem and Secondary
Xylem.
Primary and Secondary Xylem
The primary xylem emerge from the procambium present
in the apical meristem. The secondary xylem is formed
from the vascular cambium present in the lateral
meristem.
Primary xylem is observed in both monocots and
dicots. Secondary xylem is observed only in dicots.
The pit formation is not observed in primary xylem. The
pit formation is observed in secondary xylem
In primary xylem, the xylem fibers are less in
number, and xylem vessels are long and thin. In the
secondary xylem, xylem fibers occur more in
number and the xylem vessels are short and wide.
 Composition of Xylem

The xylem is composed of four types of cells

namely tracheid, xylem vessels, xylem fibers, and
xylem parenchyma which provide strength to the
plants and help in storage and transportation
functions.
Tracheids
Tracheid is long, single-celled, non-living
water conducting element of xylem with
hard, thick (due to lignin deposition) and
pitted wall.
Tracheids occur in all groups of vascular
plants. It is present exclusively in the xylem
of pteridophytes and gymnosperms.
The tracheids are involved in the
transportation of inorganic salts and
water. It also offers structural support to the
plants.
Xylem Vessels
Xylem vessels are another type of conductive
element seen only in angiosperms. It is
essential for the transport of minerals and
water to the leaves from the roots. The cell
walls are lignified and have pits on the side.
Vessels have openings at both ends to form
a continuous and tubular vessel. Each vessel
unit is long and cylindrical in shape and lack
living protoplast. Sometimes the length of a
vessel unit may be shorter than breadth
when it appears as drum shaped. The cell
wall is thick due to deposition of lignin.
Xylem fibres
Xylem fibres are elongated cells the length
of which is many times longer than
breadth. The cell wall is usually thick. Pits
are present on walls . Fibres may be
septate.Xylem fibers are made up of thick,
lignified dead sclerenchyma cells. It is
observed between vessels and tracheids of
the plant. They are called wood
fibers because of the hardness of their
tissue. Xylem fibers are elastic and are
known to provide strength to plants.
Xylem Parenchyma
Xylem parenchyma cells are colorless, and have
distinct nucleus, protoplast, and large vacuoles.
mainly involved in the storage functions of the
plants. It helps to store fats and carbohydrates.
Xylem parenchyma has no definite shape. It may
be irregular, rectangular, round, oval and
elongated etc. Xylem parenchyma is mainly
concerned with storage of starch, fat and ergastic
substances. Transportation of minerals, solutes
and water occur through it. It gives mechanical
support when turgid. The thick-walled
parenchyma gives mechanical strength to the
plant.
THANK YOU