..........conducts water and ions whereas ..........conducts food.

Options

A. phloem, xylem
B. xylem, phloem
C. cambium, phloem
D. xylem, cambium

Explanation

To answer the question "..........conducts water and ions whereas ..........conducts food," we need to identify the two types of vascular tissues in plants that perform these functions.

**Step 1: Identify the types of vascular tissues in plants.**
- In plants, there are two main types of vascular tissues: xylem and phloem.

**Step 2: Determine the function of xylem.**
- Xylem is the tissue responsible for conducting water and dissolved minerals (ions) from the roots to the rest of the plant. It absorbs water from the soil and transports it upwards through the plant.

**Step 3: Determine the function of phloem.**
- Phloem is the tissue responsible for conducting food, specifically the products of photosynthesis (like sugars), from the leaves (where they are produced) to other parts of the plant for growth and storage.

**Step 4: Fill in the blanks.**
- Based on the functions identified:
- The first blank should be filled with "xylem" (conducts water and ions).
- The second blank should be filled with "phloem" (conducts food).

**Final Answer:**
Xylem conducts water and ions whereas phloem conducts food.

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