Which plant tissue is responsible for transporting water from roots to leaves?

• A. Phloem
• B. Cortex
• C. Xylem
• D. Epidermis

Answer: (C)

Water moving from roots to leaves is carried by xylem. Xylem is made of hollow, lignified cells that form continuous tubes from the roots up through the stems to the leaves, allowing water and mineral nutrients to travel upward. The driving force is transpiration at the leaves, which creates a pull (tension) that pulls water up the plant. Cohesion between water molecules and adhesion to the xylem walls help sustain this upward flow, with some contribution from root pressure as well.

Phloem, by contrast, transports sugars and other organic nutrients, often in multiple directions depending on source–sink needs. The cortex is primarily storage and support tissue, and the epidermis is the outer protective layer. So the tissue responsible for transporting water from roots to leaves is the xylem.