Question

The difference between xylem and phloem is
(a)Xylem transports the food prepared by leaves whereas phloem transports water and minerals absorbed by roots.
(b) Xylem transports water and minerals absorbed by roots whereas phloem transports food prepared by roots.
(c)Xylem transports food, water, and minerals whereas phloem stores food.
(d)Xylem stores food whereas phloem transports food, water, and minerals.

Answer 1

Hint: Xylem and phloem are the vascular tissues of the plants that help in the conduction of the minerals and nutrients along with water in the plants. They are also called conduction tissues.

Complete answer:
Xylem is a conducting tissue that is responsible for the transport of water while phloem is a conducting tissue that is responsible for the transport of food in plants.
Difference between xylem and phloem

Xylem	Phloem
Xylem transports soluble minerals and water molecules.	Phloem transports food and other nutrients like sugar and amino acids.
Water is absorbed by the roots and is transported to the aerial parts of the plant like the stem and leaves.	Food is formed in the leaves from where it is transported to the storage organs and the growing parts of the plants.
Xylem tissues are composed mainly of dead cells.	Phloem tissues are mainly composed of living cells.
Transportation in the xylem is unidirectional from roots to leaves.	Phloem transportation is bidirectional from leaves to various plant parts.
Xylem provides mechanical strength to the plant.	Phloem transports the sugar in the storage organs.
Xylem is responsible for the amount of water loss through transpiration and photosynthesis.	Phloem is responsible for transporting proteins and mRNAs throughout the plant.
Xylem consists of tracheids, vessels, parenchyma, and fibers.	Phloem consists of sieve tubes, companion cells, parenchyma, fibers.

So, the correct answer is ‘Xylem transports water and minerals absorbed by roots whereas phloem transports food prepared by leaves.’

Note: Xylem has two separate chambers tracheids and vessels for transporting minerals and water. The transportation of food through phloem requires energy in the form of ATP. The term xylem and phloem were introduced in 1858 by Carl Nägeli. The term "xylem" was derived from the Greek word xylon, meaning "wood”. The term phloem was derived from the Greek word phloios, meaning "bark".