A stem cross-section shows the plant's plumbing. Xylem carries water and minerals upward, phloem carries sugars to where they are needed, and the cambium between them makes new cells.
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Key points
Xylem vessels are dead, hollow tubes; water is pulled up by evaporation from the leaves.
Phloem sieve tubes are living cells helped by companion cells, and carry sugar from sources to sinks.
The cambium divides to add xylem and phloem, thickening the stem.
