What is the difference between xylem and phloem tubes?

Xylem passively and unidirectionally transports water (by osmosis) from the roots to the leaves of a plant, whereas phloem uses active transport to bidirectionally transport food from the leaves to growing parts of the plant. The cells of xylem are dead but the cell wall is thick, and in phloem the cell wall is thin but the cells are living.

TS
Answered by Taha S. Biology tutor

6459 Views

See similar Biology GCSE tutors

Related Biology GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Describe the process of diffusion with an example.


Describe some of the means by which a plant might defend itself, bearing in mind that it is 'sessile' (it cannot move around)?


What are the differences between diffusion, osmosis and active transport?


What is eutrophication? Explain how this process can cause harm to the environment, particularly when farmers apply fertiliser to their land.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning