A plant tissue that carries water and mineral salts is the

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks which plant tissue carries (transports) water and mineral salts. This is a transport tissue question.

Step 2: Explain the concept Plants have two main vascular (conducting) tissues:

• Xylem: carries water and dissolved mineral salts from the roots upward to the stem and leaves. It is made of vessels and tracheids, which are dead, hollow, lignified cells.
• Phloem: carries manufactured food (sucrose and amino acids) from the leaves to other parts of the plant. This process is called translocation.

Step 3: Check each option

• A. Cambium: a meristematic tissue that produces new xylem and phloem, which is responsible for secondary growth (increase in girth). It does not transport anything.
• B. Xylem: transports water and mineral salts. ✔
• C. Cortex: a tissue of parenchyma cells between the epidermis and the vascular tissues. It mainly stores food and gives support.
• D. Phloem: transports food, not water and mineral salts.

Step 4: Answer The correct option is B. xylem.

Tip: Remember "X for eXit from the soil". Xylem moves water up from the roots, while Phloem moves Produced food (from photosynthesis). Also, xylem = water and minerals, phloem = food.