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Xylem and Transpiration-driven Transport of Resources

Xylem and Transpiration-driven Transport of Resources

The xylem of vascular plants distributes water and dissolved minerals that are taken up by the roots to the rest of the plant. The cells that transport xylem sap are dead upon maturity, and the movement of xylem sap is a passive process.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 9, 2026

Xylem Water Distribution in Woody Plants Visualized with a Cryo-scanning Electron Microscope

Xylem Water Distribution in Woody Plants Visualized with a Cryo-scanning Electron Microscope

Published on: June 20, 2019

Live Imaging of Developing Xylem In Planta.

Raymond Wightman¹

¹Microscopy Core Facility, Sainsbury Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Bateman Street, Cambridge, CB2 1LR, UK. raymond.wightman@slcu.cam.ac.uk.

Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)

|January 5, 2017

Summary

This study details a microscopy protocol for observing intracellular components during xylem vessel development in plant roots. It enables live imaging of cell wall enzymes, membranes, and cytoskeleton dynamics before programmed cell death.

Keywords:

Arabidopsis Cellulose synthase Confocal Cytoskeleton Microscopy Organelles Roots

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Last Updated: Mar 9, 2026

Xylem Water Distribution in Woody Plants Visualized with a Cryo-scanning Electron Microscope

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Published on: June 20, 2019

Using High Resolution Computed Tomography to Visualize the Three Dimensional Structure and Function of Plant Vasculature

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Published on: April 5, 2013

A Simple Chamber for Long-term Confocal Imaging of Root and Hypocotyl Development

A Simple Chamber for Long-term Confocal Imaging of Root and Hypocotyl Development

Published on: May 17, 2017

Area of Science:

Plant Biology
Cell Biology
Microscopy

Background:

Xylem vessels are crucial for water transport in plants.
Their development involves complex cellular processes including patterned secondary wall deposition and programmed cell death.
Visualizing these dynamic intracellular events is essential for understanding xylem formation.

Purpose of the Study:

To present a detailed microscopy protocol for live imaging of developing xylem vessels.
To enable visualization of intracellular components like cell wall enzymes, membranes, and the cytoskeleton.
To facilitate the study of dynamic cellular processes during xylem development.

Main Methods:

Development of a live fluorescence imaging protocol.
Utilizing epifluorescent and confocal microscopy techniques.
Focusing on intracellular components within developing root xylem vessels.

Main Results:

The protocol allows for dynamic recording of cell wall enzymes, membranes, and cytoskeleton arrangements.
Successful imaging of intracellular components during secondary wall deposition and programmed cell death.
Demonstration of the utility of live fluorescence microscopy in studying xylem development.

Conclusions:

The presented protocol provides a robust method for investigating the dynamic intracellular processes of xylem vessel formation.
Live imaging offers new insights into the spatial and temporal regulation of xylem development.
This technique is valuable for plant cell biology research, particularly in understanding vascular tissue development.