a) Transport of water

Xylem is a complex tissue composed of living and non-living cells. The conducting cells are mostly non- living and includes two types of tracheary elements- tracheids and vessel elements. Water and minerals from the soil enter into the plant through the root and then through root cortex and finally get passed into the xylem, moves upward into the leaves. The upward movement of the water and the minerals from roots to the aerial parts of the plant against the gravitational force through the xylem is known as ascent of the sap.