Vascular stele

Definition

The vascular stele is the central part of a root or stem containing the tissues responsible for water, nutrient transport, and support. It includes the xylem, phloem, and sometimes additional supportive tissues like pericycle and pith.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The vascular stele is surrounded by the endodermis in roots.
2. In dicot stems, the vascular stele forms a ring structure with xylem on the inside and phloem on the outside.
3. In monocot roots, the vascular stele often has a more complex arrangement compared to dicots.
4. The pericycle in the vascular stele can give rise to lateral roots.
5. A key function of the vascular stele is efficient transport of water and nutrients throughout the plant.

Review Questions

• What are the main components of a vascular stele?
• How does the arrangement of vascular tissues differ between dicot and monocot stems?
• What role does the pericycle play within the vascular stele?

Related terms

Xylem: Tissue within the vascular system that transports water and dissolved minerals from roots to other parts of the plant.

Phloem: Tissue responsible for transporting sugars and other metabolic products downward from leaves.

Pericycle: A layer of cells just inside the endodermis that can differentiate into lateral roots.