Question

Which statement best describes the difference between xylem and phloem?
Xylem transports water and nutrients in the plant, and phloem transports water and sugar.
Xylem cells make up vascular tissue, and phloem cells make up ground and dermal tissue.
Xylem tissue is found at the growing parts of plants, and phloem is found on the outer part of plants.

Answer 1

The first statement is best. Xylem primarily transports water and dissolved minerals (upward from the roots). Phloem primarily transports sugars and other organic solutes (and some water in the sap) between sources (e.g., leaves) and sinks (e.g., roots, fruits) and can move in either direction.

The other two choices are incorrect: both xylem and phloem are vascular tissues (not separate tissue types), and xylem is not restricted to just growing parts while phloem is simply "outer" tissue.