What are the narrow, dead tubes in plants that transport water and minerals called?

The narrow, dead tubes in plants that transport water and minerals are called xylem vessels. Xylem tissue is specifically designed to conduct water and dissolved minerals from the roots of the plant to the leaves and other parts. These xylem vessels are composed of hollow tubes that lack living contents, allowing water to flow freely through them with minimal resistance. The structure of xylem cells, which are reinforced with lignin, ensures they can withstand the pressure of the water moving up from the roots and helps to maintain the integrity of the plant.

Phloem vessels, on the other hand, are responsible for the transport of sugars and other organic nutrients, primarily in a downward direction from the leaves to the rest of the plant. Collenchyma and sclerenchyma cells serve different structural functions in plants; collenchyma cells provide flexible support, while sclerenchyma cells contribute to rigid support.