What are tracheids?
Q: What are tracheids?
A: Tracheids are long cells in the xylem of vascular plants that transport water and mineral salts and provide structural support.
Q: What is the other type of element in the xylem besides tracheids?
A: Vessel elements are the other type of element in the xylem besides tracheids.
Q: What is the difference between tracheids and vessel elements in terms of perforation plates?
A: Tracheids do not have perforation plates, while vessel elements do.
Q: What feature defines vascular plants in comparison to non-vascular plants?
A: The presence of tracheary elements, which includes tracheids and vessel elements, defines vascular plants in comparison to non-vascular plants.
Q: What happens to the protoplast of tracheids when the plant is mature?
A: When the plant is mature, the protoplast of tracheids has broken down and disappeared.
Q: What is the function of the thickenings in the secondary walls of tracheids?
A: The thickenings in the secondary walls of tracheids provide structural support.
Q: How do tracheids hold water against gravity in the absence of transpiration?
A: Tracheids hold water against gravity by adhesion, as they have a much larger surface area to volume ratio in comparison to vessel elements.
