The importance of vascular bundles in plants
Vascular bundles are a set of tissues found inside plants that have the function of transporting water, nutrients and other substances throughout the plant.They are formed by two main types of tissues, the xylem and the phloem. The xylem is the tissue responsible for transporting water and minerals from the roots to the leaves, it is formed by dead cells that join to form long and hollow tubes and the phloem is the tissue responsible for transporting the nutrients produced during photosynthesis from the leaves to the rest of the plant, it is formed by living cells that are connected to each other through small holes called plasmodesmos.
Vascular bundles are essential for plant life, thanks to them, plants can get the water and nutrients they need to grow and develop, in addition, vascular bundles also help maintain the structure of the plant, since they provide support and rigidity. The liquid that transports the xylem has not yet been transformed by the plant, it is called crude sap, on the other hand, the phloem transports substances already transformed in the process of photosynthesis and is known as elaborated sap, these substances are essential for plants to fulfill their biological functions.
If the vascular bundles did not work properly, the plant would not be able to transport the water and nutrients it needs to live, which can lead to a series of problems, such as wilting and leaf fall, stunting, the plant would not grow at the normal rate, the plant would become more susceptible to diseases and pests and in extreme cases it can even die.
In the same vein, to take care of the vascular bundles of our plants, it is important to follow a series of recommendations according to the mentioned by Parker (2000):
- Watering the plants with the right frequency: It is important to water the plants with the right frequency so that they do not dry out or get waterlogged.
- Fertilize plants: It is important to fertilize plants with the nutrients they need to grow and develop.
- Protect plants from pests and diseases: It is important to protect plants from pests and diseases that can damage vascular bundles.
| Final considerations |
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In conclusion, vascular bundles are an essential component of the anatomy of plants that play a fundamental role in their survival and development, they act as the plant's circulatory system, transporting water, nutrients and other vital substances throughout the plant. Without vascular bundles, plants would not be able to grow, reproduce or survive.
In addition to their transport function, vascular bundles also provide structural support to the plant. The cell walls of the xylem cells are thickened with lignin, which gives them strength and rigidity. In summary, vascular bundles are a vital component of plants that allows them to transport water, nutrients and other vital substances, as well as provide structural support.
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| Bibliographic references |
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- Parker, R. (2000) The Plant sciences. Paraninfo. Madrid: Spain.
Sources
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@solperez
Vascular bundles is really necessary and everyone of us should learn about it. Well even though I have been hearing about the name several times, this is the first time I see so much knowledge in it