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Xylem

/ZY-lem/
🔬 Anatomy●● Intermediate

The water-conducting tissue in plants, composed of specialized cells that form continuous tubes from roots to leaves. Xylem transports water and dissolved minerals upward via transpiration pull. In woody plants, xylem forms the bulk of the wood.

Etymology

From Greek xylon, meaning "wood."

Example

Water travels through the xylem from roots to the topmost leaves, even in the tallest trees.