What are the differences between the transport of materials in xylem and phloem?

S.No.

Xylem

Phloem

1.

Xylem conducts water and dissolved mineral from roots to leaves and other parts.

Phloem conducts prepared food material from leaves to other parts of plant in dissolved form.

2.

In xylem, the transport of material take place through vessels and tracheids which are dead tissues.

In phloem, transport of material takes place through sieve tubes with the help of companion cells, which living cells.

3.

In xylem, upward movement of water and dissolved minerals is mainly achieved by transpiration pull. It is caused due to suction created by evaporation of water molecules from the cells of a leaf.

In translocation, material is transferred into phloem tissue using energy from ATP. This increases the osmotic pressure that moves the material in the phloem to tissues which have less pressure.

4.

Movement of water is achieved by simple physical forces there is no expenditure of energy. So ATP molecules are not required.

The translocation in phloem is an active process and requires energy. This energy is taken from ATP.