Increase the surface area of the root to absorb water and dissolved minerals more effectively
Do not contain chloroplasts
Xylem cells
Have very thick walls containing lignin to provide support
Have no internal structures like nucleus, cytoplasm, vacuole or chloroplasts to allow easy flow of water and dissolved minerals
Phloem cells
Consist of two types: phloem vessel cells with no nucleus and limited cytoplasm, and companion cells with mitochondria to provide energy to the phloem vessel cells
Phloem vessel cells have porous end walls called sieve plates to allow flow of dissolved sugars
Xylem cells form long tubes that carry water and dissolved minerals from the roots to the leaves
Phloem tubes carry dissolved sugars up and down the plant