Which part of a tree is involved in fluid transport?

The correct answer, sapwood, plays a crucial role in the process of fluid transport within a tree. Sapwood is the younger outer wood layer of the tree that lies between the cambium layer and the heartwood. It consists of living xylem cells that are actively involved in conducting water and dissolved nutrients from the roots up to the leaves.

These xylem cells are responsible for the upward movement of sap, which contains essential nutrients required for the tree’s growth and development. The sapwood’s structure allows for efficient transport as it is composed of vessels and tracheids designed to facilitate the flow of water under tension, which is vital for the tree’s physiological processes.

In contrast, the heartwood, located at the center of the tree, is composed of older, non-conducting xylem that has become filled with compounds that provide strength and resistance to decay but do not contribute to fluid transport. The cambium layer is primarily responsible for the growth of new wood and bark, while the pith, the innermost part of the tree, serves mainly as a storage area and does not play a direct role in fluid transport.