Most plants are composed of two very distint parts; xylem and phloem. These plants are known as being vasuclar, the simple small plants such as mosses and algae, do not have these parts and are known as non-vascular plants. Xylem tissue is mostly used for transporting water from the roots to the leaves. Phloem is used for transporting compounds produced in the leaves to the roots. This movement from leaves to the roots in the phloem is bidirectional, but in the xylem it is not. However, the xylem is made up of dead cells which are elongated and hollow. In contrast, the phloem is made up of cells such as sieve tubes and companion cells. Both of these parts of vascular plants are essential in transporting nutrients and keeping the plant hydrated. Photosynthesis in leaves requires a lot of water from the xylem and produces lots of sugar for the phloem. Although these parts are quite distinct they work together to allow the plant to flourish.
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