Question

Are Xylem Vessel cells dead or alive?

Answer 1

The xylem elements contain cells called tracheid and vessel cells which are narrow and hollow and long in structure. Xylem is made up of a series of cells which enables water and mineral transportation in many angiosperms. Xylem has two cells, parenchyma cells and xylem fibers. One stores the food of the plant and another conducts water in the plant's body.

Complete answer:
Xylem is a plant tissue which is complex and is responsible for water transportation and nutrients to the plants. Xylem vessel cells can be both alive and dead. But according to the researchers and botanists xylem tissue elements are alive except for the parenchyma which is dead. Hence, the xylem is a dead tissue.
Location of xylem vessels is present in a vascular bundle engraved in the plant and unidirectional is the xylem movement. Xylem have different types of elements- tracheid, Vessels, Xylem fiber, Xylem Parenchyma. The xylem vessels always push the water conduction upward and the nutrients to the roots.
Tracheid is dead tubular cells with tapering ends, vessels are slender elongated structures also having tubular appearance and also there is no cytoplasm in them. xylem fibers have lignin rich walls and a lumen at center, the fibers are dead and they provide anchorage to the plant. Xylem parenchyma is involved in starch and fat storage and they also assist in transportation of water.

Note:
There are two types of xylems – primary and secondary xylem. Primary is obtained from procambium which consists- protoxylem and metaxylem. Metaxylem growth is seen after the protoxylem. Metaxylem have broad vessels and tracheid as compared to protoxylem. Secondary xylem is obtained from secondary growth of vascular cambium. It is found in the gymnosperms and Gnetophyta.