xylem

purpose

for movement of minerals and water

path taken

soil to roots to stem to leaves

absorbed minerals

magnesium and nitrates

stele

where minerals and water converge after travelling separate paths

transpiration

loss of water from the plant through evaporation at the leaf surface…main driver of water movement through the xylem

negative pressure

-2MPa

stomata closes

transpiration stops…water is held in the stem and leaf by water cohesion and adhesion

cohesion

water molecules attaching to each other

adhesion

attraction between water molecules and cell walls and tracheids