In vascular plants, xylem tissue is responsible for

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks about the main function of xylem tissue in vascular plants.

Step 2: Explain the concept Vascular plants have two main transport tissues:

• Xylem carries water and dissolved mineral salts from the roots up to the stem and leaves. It is made of dead, hollow cells (vessels and tracheids) with lignified walls. The lignin gives the plant support as well.
• Phloem carries manufactured food (mainly sucrose and amino acids) from the leaves to other parts of the plant. This process is called translocation. Phloem is made of living cells (sieve tubes and companion cells).

Step 3: Evaluate the options

• A. Transportation of water: Correct. This is the primary function of xylem.
• B. Translocation of food: This is the job of phloem, not xylem.
• C. Transportation of hormones: Hormones move mainly through the phloem (and by diffusion between cells), so this is not the main role of xylem.
• D. Storage of sugar: Storage is done by parenchyma cells in organs such as roots, stems and fruits. It is not a function of xylem.

Step 4: Answer The correct answer is A. transportation of water.

Step 5: Exam tip Remember the pairing: Xylem = water going up (think "X marks the path from the soil"), Phloem = produced food moving around. If you see the word "translocation", think phloem. If you see "water and mineral salts", think xylem.