Which of the following statement about the similarities in plant and animal transport is correct?

Analyze the question: We are asked for a similarity between transport in plants and animals. So we need the statement that is true of both.

Concept: Both plants and animals need to move substances (nutrients, gases, waste, hormones) around the body. In both, this happens through a fluid medium:

• Animals: blood (and lymph) carry nutrients, gases, and hormones such as insulin and adrenaline.
• Plants: xylem sap carries water and minerals, and phloem sap carries manufactured food and plant hormones such as auxins.

Checking each option:

• A. Materials and hormones are transported in fluid form. Correct. Blood, lymph, xylem sap and phloem sap are all fluids, and hormones travel dissolved in them in both groups of organisms.
• B. The transport medium is made up of only tissues. Wrong. In animals the medium is blood, a fluid connective tissue made of plasma and cells, not "only tissues". In plants, xylem and phloem are tissues, but the sap inside them is a fluid.
• C. Their materials are transported in the same vessels. Wrong. Animals use blood vessels (arteries, veins, capillaries), while plants use xylem and phloem. They are different structures.
• D. Diffusion is not required. Wrong. Diffusion is needed in both. For example, gases are exchanged by diffusion in the alveoli and in the stomata, and substances move into and out of cells by diffusion.

Exam tip: In "similarities" questions, look for the general idea that applies to both groups, such as "fluid medium" or "dissolved substances". Be wary of options that name specific structures (like "same vessels"), because plants and animals have very different ones.