Transport system: The network of vascular tissues (xylem and phloem) that moves water, mineral ions and food substances between the roots, stem and leaves of a plant.
Vascular tissue: Specialised plant tissue, made up of xylem and phloem, that conducts substances over long distances through the plant.
Vascular bundle: A strand of conducting tissue containing both xylem and phloem, found in the roots, stems and leaves of a plant.
Xylem: A plant tissue made of dead, hollow cells that transports water and dissolved mineral ions upwards from the roots to the rest of the plant, and also provides support.
Phloem: A plant tissue made of living cells that transports sucrose and amino acids (food) both up and down the plant by translocation.
Xylem vessel: A long, continuous, hollow tube formed from dead cells joined end to end, with no cross walls, that carries water and mineral ions up the plant.
Lignin: A strong, waterproof substance deposited in xylem cell walls that makes them rigid, supports the plant and waterproofs the vessel.
Sieve tube: A living phloem cell, joined end to end with others through perforated sieve plates, that carries dissolved sucrose and amino acids during translocation.