Plants have lower energy needs compared to animals as they do not engage in activities like movement. Plants derive energy through photosynthesis, which is a relatively low-energy process. This influences their transport systems by allowing for slower and less energy-intensive mechanisms. The plant’s vascular system, consisting of xylem and phloem, efficiently transports water, minerals, and nutrients with a slower pace suited to their energy requirements. In contrast, animals, with higher energy demands for activities like locomotion and thermoregulation, have more complex and faster circulatory systems, such as a four-chambered heart in mammals, to meet their greater metabolic needs.