Comparing and Contrasting Phloem & Xylem

Phloem:
   1. Made of living cells with perforated end-plates to allow stuff to flow through.
   2. They transport food made in the leaves to all other parts of the plant, in both directions.

Xylem:
   1. Made of dead cells joined end to end with no walls in between them.
   2. They carry water and minerals from the roots up to the leaves in the transpiration system.

Similarities:
   Phloem carries food down to the roots for growth or for storage and may later carry it back up again.
   Xylem carries water and minerals up to the leaves.