Question

Living part of xylem is
A) Xylem tracheids
B) Xylem vessels
C) Parenchyma
D) None of the above

Answer 1

Xylem is a conducting tissue that is found only in vascular plants (those plants having vascular systems). Xylem helps in the conduction of water and dissolved minerals. The movement of the water is unidirectional that means from the roots to the upper parts of the plant.

Complete answer :

Xylem:The function of xylem is to transport water from roots to the different parts of plants.The movement of water in unidirectional i.e. from roots to upwards i.e. different parts of plants.Along with water xylem also transport minerals dissolved in water.
Elements of Xylem:
The elements of Xylem are;
Xylem tracheids
Xylem vessels
Xylem fibres
Xylem Parenchyma

Xylem tracheids: Xylem tracheids are the elongated cells present in the xylem of vascular plants.Xylem tracheids consist of dead cells.They help in transport of water and dissolved minerals.
Xylem Vessels:The xylem vessels are the long tubes present in the xylem of vascular plants. Xylem vessels also consist of dead cells.They help in transport and also provide mechanical support.
Xylem fibres: Xylem fibres consist of dead cells. They are also called as the wood fibres.They provide mechanical support to the Xylem.
Xylem Parenchyma :Xylem Parenchyma is the only living tissue of Xylem. The function of Xylem Parenchyma is storage of carbohydrate, fats and water conduction.
So, as we have seen, the living part of Xylem is Parenchyma.

Hence, the option C is the correct answer.

Note: Apart from the xylem there is another vascular tissue that is found in the vascular plants i.e. phloem. Phloem is responsible for the conduction of organic materials throughout the whole plants. The conduction through phloem is multidirectional. That means the organic substance get transported from the factory sites to the growing parts of the plants and storage sites.