The only living element of xylem tissue

Options

A. Has lignified walls
B. Is absent in monocots
C. Is involved in radial conduction of water
D. Is made up of many cells,fused together

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Xylem Tissue**: Xylem is a type of vascular tissue in plants responsible for the conduction of water and minerals from the roots to the rest of the plant. It consists of various elements.

2. **Identifying the Elements of Xylem**: The four main elements of xylem tissue are:
- Tracheids
- Vessels
- Xylem fibers
- Xylem parenchyma

3. **Determining Living vs. Dead Cells**: Among these elements, tracheids, vessels, and xylem fibers are composed of dead cells. In contrast, xylem parenchyma is the only living component of xylem tissue.

4. **Evaluating Characteristics of Xylem Parenchyma**:
- **First Statement**: "Has lignified walls" - This is incorrect as xylem parenchyma has cell walls made of cellulose or hemicellulose, not lignin.
- **Second Statement**: "Absent in monocots" - This is also incorrect; xylem parenchyma is present in both monocots and dicots.
- **Third Statement**: "Involved in radial conduction of water" - This is correct. Xylem parenchyma assists in the storage of food and the radial conduction of water, which means it helps transport water sideways.
- **Fourth Statement**: "Made up of many fused cells together" - This is incorrect; this characteristic pertains to vessels, not xylem parenchyma.

5. **Conclusion**: The only living element of xylem tissue is xylem parenchyma, and the correct characteristic related to it is that it is involved in radial conduction of water.

**Final Answer**: The only living element of xylem tissue is **xylem parenchyma**.

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