Water Transport and Transpiration
Right next to the phloem sits the xylem - completely different tubes made of dead cells with no ends, creating one long hollow pipe. These tubes are strengthened with lignin (like internal scaffolding) and have one job: transport water and mineral ions upwards from roots to leaves.
Transpiration is the process that drives this water transport system. When leaves lose water through evaporation (which happens because stomata must open to absorb CO₂), the xylem replaces that lost water. It's like a constant stream flowing upwards, called the transpiration stream.
The rate of transpiration isn't constant - it changes based on environmental conditions. Temperature increases transpiration because hot water evaporates faster. Bright light also speeds it up since photosynthesis requires open stomata.
Air flow increases transpiration by blowing water molecules away, whilst high humidity slows it down because the air is already full of water vapour. Understanding these factors helps explain why plants wilt on hot, dry days but perk up in cooler, humid conditions.
Remember: Xylem is like a one-way lift system, always moving water upwards from roots to leaves.