Recutting stems helps water uptake through which tissue?

• A. Phloem
• B. Xylem
• C. Epidermis
• D. Cortex

Answer: (B)

Water moves upward through xylem tissue, which forms the continuous conduits that carry water and minerals from roots to all parts of the plant. Recutting stems exposes fresh xylem and clears away any older, possibly blocked or air-filled tissue at the cut end, letting water re-enter the vessels more easily. This fresh surface reduces resistance and allows the plant to resume efficient water uptake via the xylem, driven by transpiration pull. The other tissues don’t serve as the main water-conducting pathway: phloem distributes sugars, while epidermis and cortex are outer layers and not the primary channels for water movement up the stem.